- Blue Origin’s 11th human flight, NS-31, will feature an all-female crew, launching from West Texas and aiming for the Karman line. The star-studded crew includes Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez.
- The crew will experience weightlessness and stunning Earth views during their 10-minute journey, with the New Shepard booster and capsule making controlled landings.
- A livestream of the launch will be available on BlueOrigin.com 15 minutes before liftoff, and applications for space trips can be made on Blue Origin’s website.
Full Story
A star-studded, all-female crew is set to make history Monday, April 14, as Blue Origin’s 11th human flight, NS-31, is scheduled to launch from Launch Site One in West Texas, barring any delays. The crew includes Aisha Bowe, Amanda Nguyễn, Gayle King, Katy Perry, Kerianne Flynn and Lauren Sánchez.
The New Shepard program, which has already flown 52 people above the internationally recognized boundary of space, known as the Karman line, will take the crew on a 10-minute journey.
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Flight plan
At 2 minutes and 40 seconds after liftoff, the New Shepard booster will separate from the crew capsule, which will then continue its trajectory to the Karman line. The crew will experience several minutes of weightlessness and breathtaking views of Earth.
The New Shepard booster will use aerobrakes to control its descent and reignite its engine for a controlled landing on the Blue Origin landing pad, 2 miles north of the launch site.
Minutes later, the New Shepard capsule will begin its descent back to Earth, deploying drogue and main parachutes for a soft desert landing 10 to 11 minutes after liftoff.
Delays due to weather, rocket hardware issues, or launch infrastructure could push the liftoff back into the launch window.
How to watch
Blue Origin will provide a livestream of the launch on its website about 15 minutes before liftoff. Those interested in taking a trip to space can also apply on Blue Origin’s website. The space company is funded by billionaire Jeff Bezos.
