Kent’s Blue Origin crew capsule safely lands during parachute test

Kent-based Blue Origin says a test flight last month in Texas showed the crew capsule of its New Shepard spacecraft could safely land with only two of its parachutes open.

Blue Origin's crew capsule during a post-landing recovery operation in Texas.

Blue Origin's crew capsule during a post-landing recovery operation in Texas.

Kent-based Blue Origin says a test flight last month in Texas showed the crew capsule of its New Shepard spacecraft could safely land with only two of its parachutes open.

Owner Jeff Bezos emailed on Wednesday to subscribers to his company’s website the latest update:

“On our most recent flight, we performed a test to prove the crew capsule could safely land with only two of its three parachutes open,” Bezos said. “On a nominal flight with all three parachutes deployed, the capsule descends at about 16 mph before firing a retrorocket just a few feet above the ground. This retrorocket firing is what creates the large cloud of dust you see just before the capsule lands, and slows the capsule down to 3 mph before it touches the ground.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

“This last bit of speed is absorbed by a ring shaped crushable bumper made of aluminum honeycomb material mounted on the bottom of the capsule. The ring is made of eight segments.

On this last mission, with one chute intentionally failed, the capsule was descending at 23 mph before firing its retrorocket. The retrorocket took out most of that velocity, and the crushable ring did the rest of the job.

Even with one chute out, the crushable barely crushed. When new, the crushable is about 5.5 inches high and can crush down to less than 1-inch high, providing a constant deceleration force as it crushes. After the mission, the crushable was still over 5 inches high along nearly the entire circumference of the ring.

We’ve designed the capsule to ensure astronaut safety not just for a failure of one parachute, but even for a failure of two parachutes. In addition to the retrorocket system and the crushable ring, there is an energy absorbing mechanism mounted underneath each seat.”

Bezos, a billionaire and Amazon.com founder, started Blue Origin in 2000 in his efforts to build launch vehicles to carry people to space. Bezos also owns the Washington Post newspaper.


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

Courtesy Photo, The Herald/Everett
Joann to close fabric stores in Kent, Renton and Federal Way

Part of nationwide closure of more than 500 stores after filing for bankruptcy

t
Kent-based Blue Origin to reduce workforce by 10%

Estimated 1,400 to lose jobs at Kent and other locations

t
Kent-based Stoke Space receives $260 million in new investments

More than doubles the company’s total funding, bringing it to $480 million

t
Kent-based Blue Origin launches first flight of New Glenn rocket

Achieves orbit on first attempt after liftoff from Cape Canaveral in Florida

t
Kent-based Blue Origin reschedules New Glenn rocket launch | Update

Company plans unmanned first flight for Thursday, Jan. 16 in Cape Canaveral, Florida

t
Kent-based Blue Origin successfully completes vehicle hotfire test | Update

Moves closer to first flight of New Glenn rocket which could come Jan. 10

t
Southern cooking restaurant to open at Highline College

Jumpin’ Jumbalaya offers Cajun-Creole fushion

t
Sure Lock Escapes opens 2 escape rooms in downtown Kent

Owners opened first location in 2022 in Renton

Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent will give away more than 1,000 meals from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Christmas Day. COURTESY PHOTO, Nana’s Southern Kitchen
Nana’s Southern Kitchen in Kent to give away 1,000 meals Christmas Day

Fifth year of event to give back to community and provide meals to those in need

Kent School of Rock’s new owners Phil Gustavson, Joshila Wilson and Chris Wilson. COURTESY PHOTO, School of Rock
School of Rock Kent new owners plan relaunch party Dec. 14

Group looks to bring ‘fresh perspective and energy to iconic music education brand’

t
California-based El Pollo Loco picks Kent for first Washington location

L.A.-Mex chain restaurant known for its fire-grilled chicken

t
Dough Zone restaurant now open at Kent Station shopping center

Features Chinese comfort food, including soup dumplings, pan-fried buns, noodles and potstickers