New Shepard rocket roars off the pad on 20th mission
File photo of a previous New Shepard launch. Credit: Blue Origin
Blue Origin launched another six passengers aboard its New Shepard spacecraft — the 20th flight of the rocket system for the company and the fourth with people.
Liftoff of mission NS-20 took place from the company’s spaceport in West Texas at 8:57 a.m. CDT (13:57 UTC) March 31, 2022, at the company’s West Texas launch site north of Van Horn. This was a delay from March 29.
The NS-20 crew. From left to right: Jim Kitchen, Marc Hagle, Sharon Hagle, Marty Allen, George Nield and Gary Lai. Credit: Blue Origin
The New Shepard rocket’s BE-3 engine fired for just under 2.5 minutes before cutting off, propelling the capsule and its crew to a speed of about 2,236 miles per hour (3,599 kilometers per hour).
Overall, the six passengers aboard the spaceship experienced a 10-minute journey, soaring to roughly 66.5 miles (107 kilometers) above Earth before the capsule performed a parachute-assisted landing at 9:07 a.m. CDT (14:07 UTC).
The six-person crew of the NS-20 mission included entrepreneurs, a former engineer and the owner of a non-profit. It also included Blue Origin’s chief architect, Gary Lai, who replaced “Saturday Night Live” comedian Pete Davidson, who withdrew a couple weeks ago without explanation.
Lai has spent 18 years with Blue Origin, designing the New Shepard capsule and rocket currently in use.
Other passengers include Marty Allen, chief executive of a nationwide retailer; Marc Hagle a residential and commercial real estate developer; Sharon Hagle, founder of a non-profit; Jim Kitchen, an entrepreneur; and Dr. George Niels, president of Commercial Space Technologies.
Each passenger carried a postcard with them on today’s flight in support of Blue Origin’s “Club for the Future” foundation with the intention of inspiring others to pursue careers in science, technology, engineering and math.
Video courtesy of Blue Origin
Theresa Cross
Theresa Cross grew up on the Space Coast. It’s only natural that she would develop a passion for anything “Space” and its exploration. During these formative years, she also discovered that she possessed a talent and love for defining the unique quirks and intricacies that exist in mankind, nature, and machines. Hailing from a family of photographers—including her father and her son, Theresa herself started documenting her world through pictures at a very early age. As an adult, she now exhibits an innate photographic ability to combine what appeals to her heart and her love of technology to deliver a diversified approach to her work and artistic presentations. Theresa has a background in water chemistry, fluid dynamics, and industrial utility.
