{"id":39145,"date":"2016-01-22T17:08:08","date_gmt":"2016-01-22T09:08:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/blue-origin-conduct-successful-reuse-test-with-new-shepard-2\/"},"modified":"2016-01-22T17:08:08","modified_gmt":"2016-01-22T09:08:08","slug":"blue-origin-conduct-successful-reuse-test-with-new-shepard-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/blue-origin-conduct-successful-reuse-test-with-new-shepard-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Origin conduct successful reuse test with New Shepard"},"content":{"rendered":"

Blue Origin achieved another milestone on Friday, successfully flying \u2013 and landing \u2013 the New Shepard rocket in a reuse test. The rocket had previously flown \u2013 and landed \u2013 back in November. The launch, land and repeat success is part of Blue Origin\u2019s reusability foundation for its suborbital space tourism goals in tandem with the development of an orbital vehicle.<\/p>\n

Blue Origin:<\/p>\n

New Shepard conducted its first test flight last April, enjoying a successful launch, but failed to conduct a landing of the booster.<\/p>\n

However, the second flight was a success, launching to 330,000 feet prior to landing without an issue, allowing for this latest milestone of a reuse test.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow safely tucked away at our launch site in West Texas is the rarest of beasts \u2013 a used rocket,\u201d noted Mr. Bezos following the second flight. \u201cFull reuse is a game changer, and we can\u2019t wait to fuel up and fly again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"2016-01-23-041745\"Local observers noticed a plume over the West Texas launch site on Friday morning, but as per usual, Blue Origin delayed news of the test for most of the day while a highly produced video was created.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe very same booster that flew above the Karman line and then landed vertically at its launch site last November has now flown and landed again, demonstrating reuse,\u201d noted Mr. Bezos in a release late on Friday, accompanying the video.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis time, New Shepard reached an apogee of 333,582 feet (101.7 kilometers) before both capsule and booster gently returned to Earth for recovery and reuse.\u201d<\/p>\n

The turnaround of the booster for the test was relatively easy, according to the company, with the team only having to replace the crew capsule parachutes, the pyro igniters, conduct functional and avionics checkouts, and made several software improvements ahead of Friday\u2019s flight.<\/p>\n

NASA mission updates<\/path>Aerospace industry analysis<\/path>Aerospace & Defense<\/path>\n

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\"2016-01-23-041824\"One of the software improvements related to the landing approach.<\/p>\n

\u201cRather than the vehicle translating to land at the exact center of the pad, it now initially targets the center, but then sets down at a position of convenience on the pad, prioritizing vehicle attitude ahead of precise lateral positioning,\u201d added Mr. Bezos.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s like a pilot lining up a plane with the centerline of the runway. If the plane is a few feet off center as you get close, you don\u2019t swerve at the last minute to ensure hitting the exact mid-point. You just land a few feet left or right of the centerline.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur Monte Carlo sims of New Shepard landings show this new strategy increases margins, improving the vehicle\u2019s ability to reject disturbances created by low-altitude winds.\u201d<\/p>\n

See Also<\/h4>\n