The company Blue Origin is preparing to take tourists into space aboard its New Shepard launcher. At a hundred kilometers above the ground, customers will be able to enjoy an exceptional view of the Earth. The first tickets are already available.
For several years, the company Blue Origin has been planning to take tourists into space just over a hundred kilometers above our heads . These flights will take place aboard the New Shepard launcher. A few days ago, it operated its fifteenth automatic flight test from the Corn Ranch site in Texas (video at the end of the article). This test was a "dress rehearsal" before the company's first manned flight.
Seated in a very comfortable capsule, passengers (up to six) will experience 3G to 4G acceleration forces during the ascent (G for gravity, Editor's note). Once in space, travelers will experience between five and ten minutes of weightlessness during which they can enjoy the view of our planet through giant portholes. Then, it will be necessary to go down again and on the way, to withstand forces that can go up to 5 G.
So, interested? For those who wish, Blue Origin is now selling tickets. The "ticket office" has indeed been open since May 5, in a nod to the 60th anniversary of the first American space flight signed by Alan Shepard. As you will have understood, the name of the Blue Origin launcher is directly inspired by this astronaut. The first commercial flight will take place on July 20, the company said.
Nevertheless, you still have to have the means! Blue Origin has not yet officially communicated on the price of these tickets (we will know on May 5). According to specialists, it should probably be between 100,000 and 200,000 dollars . For comparison, Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin's main competitor in this new sector of suborbital space tourism, will offer seats at US$250,000.
Eventually, Blue Origin plans to fly approximately every six weeks . However, everything will depend on demand.
Also remember that NASA has just signed an agreement with Blue Origin to use a "modified version" of this New Shepard capsule. The objective will be to offer flights capable of simulating the reduced gravity felt on the surface of the Moon (one sixth of that of the Earth). In this way, the American agency will be able to develop and test new instruments in anticipation of its future permanent establishment on our satellite.
