Blue Origin's Imminent Space Launch Constitutes an Unrivaled Irritant Amongst Private Ventures
On Monday, April 14, Blue Origin is set to launch its 11th crewed mission, NS-31, from Launch Site One in West Texas. This mission will carry a crew of six private astronauts on board the New Shepard rocket, including singer Katy Perry, TV personality Gayle King, Jeff Bezos' fianceé Lauren Sánchez, former NASA rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, and film producer Kerianne Flynn.
The mission, which will last no more than 11 minutes, will see the crew floating around for about two minutes at suborbital heights, reaching above the Kármán line (the recognized boundary of space) at approximately 62 miles altitude, providing a few minutes of weightlessness.
However, the mission does not appear to include any significant scientific payloads for research in the microgravity environment. Instead, it seems to focus on an all-female crew led by Lauren Sánchez, with the goal of challenging their perspectives, empowering them, and inspiring future generations.
Despite criticisms, the goal is to make space more accessible to everyone. Yet, the high cost of spaceflight is a point of contention, with some arguing that it is exclusionary and frivolous, especially during a time of scrutiny over NASA's budget and workforce.
The price for a ticket on Blue Origin's space tourism rides is not publicly disclosed by the company, but a refundable deposit of $150,000 is required to start the booking process. The first seat on Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket sold for $28 million in a 2021 auction by cryptocurrency billionaire Justin Sun.
Gayle King, one of the crew members, has expressed excitement and nervousness about the mission. She has asked people not to discourage her from going on the mission. Despite the risks involved, she remains undeterred.
Blue Origin resumed its private spaceflight ventures last year following a two-year hiatus. The mission's uncrewed flight ended in flames around a minute after liftoff in September 2022, but Blue Origin has since made safety improvements to ensure the safety of its passengers.
Reports suggest that a seat on New Shepard costs around $1.25 million. The mission aims to inspire generations to come, but some question the focus on an all-female crew and the inclusion of celebrities, given the ongoing budgetary and workforce concerns at NASA.
In conclusion, Blue Origin's NS-31 mission, with its all-female crew, aims to challenge perspectives, empower, and inspire future generations. While the high cost of spaceflight remains a point of contention, the mission is set to push boundaries and make space travel more accessible.
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