Astronaut Rehearsal Conducted by Blue Origin
Blue Origin successfully completed its 15th consecutive mission to space and back April 14, an astronaut rehearsal that included a series of simulations to practice astronaut movements and operations for future flights with customers on board. This mission marked a verification step prior to flying astronauts.
For the first time, Blue Origin personnel standing in as astronauts entered the capsule prior to launch. These astronauts conducted a series of tests from within the capsule, including a comms check with the Capsule Communicator (CAPCOM), 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.
Key Astronaut Rehearsal 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).
The booster reached an apogee of 347,193 ft AGL / 350,840 ft MSL.
The mission elapsed time was 10 min 10 sec; the max ascent velocity was 2,234 mph.
Blue Origin has successfully completed several crew capsule escape tests showing that astronauts will be safe in any phase of flight. In addition to the test program, the payloads program is driving more flights of the system as the company iterates on operations and technology in preparation for human spaceflight. All the learnings from the New Shepard program are being flowed into New Glenn development as Blue Origin scales up its capabilities to serve the orbital market.
Both New Shepard and New Glenn have been designed with reusability in mind from the beginning - not as an afterthought. The vertical take off, vertical landing architecture enables the reuse of the first stage of the launch vehicles with minimal refurbishment. The throttleable liquid fueled engines allow for precision landing back on the landing platform. This allows for high asset utilization for all our vehicles which decreases the costs and increases availability for Blue Origin's customers.
(Image from Blue Origin YouTube video included with a company news release. Additional information from the Blue Origin website)