NS27 - Engines lit!
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NS27 lifting off. Credit: Blue Origin
At 15:27 UTC, New Shepard took off from its launchpad, Launch site one, West Texas, USA
What is NS27?
NS5 booster. Credit: Blue Origin
New Shepard 27 debuted Blue Origins second human-rated capsule, called RSS Kármán Line and Booster called NS5(New Shepard 5). New Shepard is Blue Origins’ sub-orbital fully reusable launch vehicle developed for space tourism.
What is the significance of NS27?
NS27 showcases many new improvements.
”The vehicle features technology upgrades to improve the vehicle’s performance and reusability, an updated livery, and accommodations for payloads on the booster.” - Blue origin
NS27 flew 12 payloads. Seven inside the crew capsule and five on the booster. The payloads included:
New navigation systems developed for New Shepard and New Glenn: it’s called NS Navi and: “It flew for the first time on the crew capsule as the primary navigation system and on the booster for performance evaluation” and it’s a scalable design for both New Shepard and New Glenn.
Two different LIDAR(LIght Detection and Ranging) sensors for the Lunar Permanence program to gather data for the future MK1 lander
Ultra-wideband proximity operations sensors flying as part of a NASA TechFlights grant
A commercial payload that is a reproduction of black monoliths from 2001: A Space Odyssey
The mission also flew 10,000+ student-designed postcards for Club for the future. Club for the future is a non-profit created by Blue Origin.
“The mission to inspire and mobilize future generations to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and math) for the benefit of Earth.” - Club For The Future
How did the mission go?
At 15:27 UTC, New Shepard lit its singular BE-3PM engine.
NS27 liftoff. Credit: Blue Origin
At T+01:24 (The clocks were 10 seconds forward of the real launch timer), New Shepard had hit 1000mph and was at 60,000 feet.
NS27 flying past 60,000 feet. Credit: Blue origin
T+2:42 and the crew capsule had separated from the booster. They were both also now in Zero-G.
NS27 booster and capsule separating. Credit: Blue Origin
The booster reached its apogee at T+3:52. This meant it was now heading back to Earth.
NS27 booster reaching apogee. Credit: Blue Origin
At T+7:02 the booster ignited its singular BE-3PM engine and landed!
An incredible sight to see.
NS27 booster propulsively landing. Credit: Blue Origin
T+10:04 rolled around and that meant capsule landing!
Blue Origin capsule RSS Kármán Line landing. Credit: Blue Origin
All in all a very successful mission!
