Blue Origin’s Audrey Powers simulates astronaut ingress on New Shepard Mission NS-15 on April 14. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin

Blue Origin’s Audrey Powers simulates astronaut ingress on New Shepard Mission NS-15 on April 14. COURTESY PHOTO, Blue Origin

Kent-based Blue Origin conducts astronaut rehearsal for future customer flights

Company completes another successful mission April 14

Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completed its 15th consecutive mission to space and back on Wednesday, April 14 and conducted a series of simulations to rehearse astronaut movements and operations for future flights with customers on board.

This mission marked a verification step prior to flying astronauts, according to a Blue Origin email.

For the first time, Blue Origin personnel standing in as astronauts entered the capsule prior to launch of the New Shepard NS-15 flight from the company’s West Texas site. These astronauts conducted a series of tests from within the capsule including a comms check with the Capsule Communicator, procedures for entering and exiting the capsule and pre-launch preparations within the capsule. Following the crew capsule landing, the astronauts rehearsed post-flight procedures, hatch opening and exiting the capsule.

Also onboard was Mannequin Skywalker and more than 25,000 postcards from Club for the Future, the nonprofit founded by Blue Origin.

Owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin’s goals are to get astronauts back on the Moon and people living and working in space. The company opened in Kent in 2000.

Key mission stats

• 16th consecutive successful crew capsule landing (every flight in the program, including a pad escape test in 2012).

• The crew capsule reached an apogee of 347,574 ft. above ground level (AGL) / 351,221 ft. mean sea level (MSL) (105 km AGL/107 km MSL).

• The booster reached an apogee of 347,193 ft AGL / 350,840 ft MSL (105 km AGL / 106 km MSL).

• The mission elapsed time was 10 minutes, 10 seconds; the max ascent velocity was 2,234 mph / 3,596 km/h.

Catch the full mission webcast replay on Blue Origin’s YouTube page.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in Business

t
Bezos’ Kent-based Blue Origin enters presidential endorsement controversy

Company leaders met with Trump shortly after Bezos’ Washington Post decided against any endorsement

Best of Kent 2024 winners announced!
Best of Kent 2024 winners: See the list here

Check out the Kent Reporter’s special section.

Paul Raftis (right) of Paolo’s Italian learned how to cook from his mother, Darlene Risse Raftis (left). Courtesy photo.
Vittoria! Paolo’s Italian wins big

It’s been a good month for Paolo’s Italian Restaurant in Kent —… Continue reading

The Hardys also were able to visit Mount Stanserhorn in Switzerland while escorting a client’s European trip, summer 2024. Courtesy photo.
From Alaska to the Rhine, Jennifer Hardy has your travel needs in mind

When it comes to planning a cruise trip with the family, fewer… Continue reading

Darren, Ryan and Launice Malmassari and Becca Pimentel all work at Kent East Hill Nursery as a family. Courtesy photo
Kent East Hill Nursery continues to grow

When the Malmassari family took over the Kent East Hill Nursery in… Continue reading

t
Maggie’s on Meeker owner receives state Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Honor given to Raman Arora at statewide conference in Walla Walla for bringing Main Streets to life

t
Kent-based Blue Origin completes 27th mission to space

Company debuts second vehicle in efforts to meet growing customer demand to board flights

(Photo from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Public Health Image Library)
Health insurance premiums to rise for WA small businesses

This marks the highest increase for small employers in the last decade.

(Screenshot)
Bikini coffee stand owner pleads guilty to tax evasion

Ladybug Espresso owner underreported his income for a tax loss of more than $1.7 million, according to the Department of Justice.

t
Kent-based Blue Origin completes eighth human spaceflight

Six-member crew spends 10 minutes in space; reaches speed of 2,238 mph

Voting is underway for the Best of Kent 2024!
Best of Kent 2024: Vote for your local favorites

Vote today for your favorite Kent businesses, restaurants, people and more!