Blue Origin to remain grounded for now following crash probe

US aviation regulators mentioned Wednesday that Blue Origin should full “21 corrective actions” earlier than it might resume launches, closing a probe into an uncrewed crash final 12 months that set again Jeff Bezos’s space firm.

The Federal Aviation Administration report into the September 12, 2022 “mishap” mentioned failure of an engine nozzle brought on by higher-than-expected engine working temperatures induced the New Shepard rocket to fall again to the bottom shortly after liftoff, even because the capsule carrying analysis experiments escaped and floated safely again to Earth.

“Through the mishap the onboard launch car methods detected the anomaly, triggered an abort and separation of the capsule from the propulsion module as supposed and shut down the engine,” mentioned the FAA.

The actual fact the capsule ejected instantly was considered positively, suggesting that any crew would have been protected if that they had been aboard.

However “the closure of the mishap investigation doesn’t sign a direct resumption of New Shepard launches,” the company mentioned.

Blue Origin responded with a submit on the social media web site X, saying “We have acquired the FAA’s letter and plan to fly quickly.”

In all, Blue Origin has flown 31 individuals—some as paying prospects and others as friends—since July 2021, when Bezos himself took half within the first flight.

Whereas it has been grounded, rival Virgin Galactic, the company based by British billionaire Richard Branson, has pressed on, flying 4 spaceflights up to now this 12 months.

The 2 firms compete within the rising space tourism sector, providing a couple of minutes of weightlessness in “suborbital” space.

Virgin Galactic tickets have been bought for between $200,000-$450,000, whereas Blue Origin would not disclose its ticket prices publicly.

© 2023 AFP