New Shepard - NS-18 Crewed - 13 October 2021

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1441429119904874505

According to TMZ, Captain Kirk will be on the second flight of Blue Origin's New Shepard capsule. The flight is likely to happen next month.

https://www.tmz.com/2021/09/24/william-shatner-going-space-jeff-bezos-blue-origin/

[Steve G]

He's ninety. Can he even make it up all those stairs to the capsule? I guess he has nothing to lose.

[dougkeenan]

The fault in not in our stairs but in ourselves.

[hektor]

No Nichelle Nichols ?

[niwax]

Does anyone else have the feeling their main revenue stream appears to be fron their marketing budget to their operations? It'll be a long grind breaking even giving away half the seats.

[MattMason]

No Nichelle Nichols ?

Ms. Nichols has dementia-related health issues. The two other members of the original surviving cast are Walter Koenig and George Takei.

[hektor]

Sorry to read that.

[hektor]

Could he fly in character, with a crew wearing a Starfleet uniform ?

[MattMason]

Could he fly in character, it a crew wearing a Starfleet uniform ?

I'm likely straying off-topic here.
But historically the cast members have enjoyed the use of costumes during convention or public appearances. In 1986 I saw George Takei in a Star Trek II-era costume. It could be a gray area, but likely Shatner could. A court case of using the likeness  (mask) of "The Lone Ranger" with classic TV actor Clayton Moore resulted in a win in his favor. But--Blue Origin may require people to wear outfits to comply with safety requirements in flight.

[hektor]

I could settle for a mission patch having the shape of a Starfleet insignia...

[jstrotha0975]

Yes, I'm finally going to get William Shatner singing Rocket Man in space.

[Steve G]

Have you heard Shatner's version of Hawkwind's Silver Machine? Hopefully, you haven't.

[Steve G]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

[Eric Hedman]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

Aren't you a ray of sunshine.

[Zed_Noir]

Do we know who are flying up with Shatner in NS-18?

[matthewkantar]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

At 90, it'd be a hell of a way to go/cement one's legacy. Not that he is planning on checking out, the system seems quite safe.

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

[SweetWater]

No Nichelle Nichols ?

Ms. Nichols has dementia-related health issues. The two other members of the original surviving cast are Walter Koenig and George Takei.

Given both Koenig and Takei's well-publicized feelings towards Shatner, I think even if the opportunity presented itself they would probably pass.

[Yggdrasill]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

The chance of dying in an explosion on the pad is probably much higher than dying of a medical emergency during flight. It's a very short flight, and not *that* stressful.

[Yggdrasill]

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

Probably not. https://www.space.com/russian-film-crew-medically-fit-spaceflight

[meekGee]

Besides, going by BO's and VG's definitions, if the medical emergency occurs below 100  km then it's not "in space", and given their rather limited dwell time, the odds are pretty good he'll miss that window of glory.

Too snarky?

[thirtyone]

I'm starting to appreciate Blue's cultural spin on the whole "spaceflight" thing. I can't say I'm impressed by most of these suborbital flights from a technical perspective, but you know, a short flight where we get to watch a cultural icon react to the experience could be pretty fun. Produce a show and broadcast the episode.

Non-catastrophic-health-risk-wise, I'm sure Blue's flight is more of a combination of the vomit comet and a rollercoaster, so it's probably not the riskiest thing for someone not in perfect shape to do (actually, it's barely more *total zero-G time than the vomit comet, but I think pulls more Gs). Considerably easier than taking dragon and being in zero-G for three days.

[Steve G]

If they wanted to go all-out, then Shatner's mates should be Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks, and maybe Jonathan Frakes. (Forget Scott Bakula because Star Trek: Enterprise sucked.) Then add two high-paying Star Trek billionaires willing to fork-out dearly for flying with them.

[Hamish.Student]

If they wanted to go all-out, then Shatner's mates should be Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks, and maybe Jonathan Frakes. (Forget Scott Bakula because Star Trek: Enterprise sucked.) Then add two high-paying Star Trek billionaires willing to fork-out dearly for flying with them.

 
 
Get out. Not only was Bakula a good captain, ENT wasn't even bad. Sure, the last episode doesn't exist, and the first season is a bit weak but thats TV. IMO, ENT > TOS. 
 
Back to our regularly scheduled programming 

[Star One]

If they wanted to go all-out, then Shatner's mates should be Patrick Stewart, Kate Mulgrew, Avery Brooks, and maybe Jonathan Frakes. (Forget Scott Bakula because Star Trek: Enterprise sucked.) Then add two high-paying Star Trek billionaires willing to fork-out dearly for flying with them.

 
 
Get out. Not only was Bakula a good captain, ENT wasn't even bad. Sure, the last episode doesn't exist, and the first season is a bit weak but thats TV. IMO, ENT > TOS. 
 
Back to our regularly scheduled programming 

Season three of Enterprise alone is better than the entirety of Voyager.

[MATTBLAK]

Nothing much wrong with either 'Enterprise' or 'Voyager' - though that Voyager episode 'Threshold'?! Shudder...

[gongora]

*cough* mission thread *cough*

[MATTBLAK]

Okay Sheldon.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1442477422666915844

We’re excited to welcome Chris Boshuizen (@cboshuizen) and Glen de Vries (@CaptainClinical) on board #NewShepard #NS18 which will lift off from Launch Site One on Oct. 12. The two other crew will be announced soon. Learn more: bit.ly/3CNJaey

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/next-human-flight-on-october-12

Blue Origin announces next customers to fly on New Shepard’s upcoming human flight on October 12
September 27, 8:00 AM CDT / 13:00 UTC

Today, Blue Origin announced New Shepard’s 18th mission, NS-18, will lift off on Tuesday, October 12, carrying four astronauts to space and back, including Dr. Chris Boshuizen, a former NASA engineer and co-founder of Planet Labs, and Glen de Vries, Vice-Chair, Life Sciences & Healthcare, Dassault Systčmes and co-founder, Medidata. The two other astronauts will be announced in the coming days.

Live launch coverage begins on BlueOrigin.com at T-60 minutes. Liftoff is currently targeted for 8:30 am CDT / 13:30 UTC from Launch Site One in West Texas.

This flight follows Blue Origin’s successful first human flight on July 20 which included Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos, aviation pioneer Wally Funk, and Blue Origin’s first customer, Oliver Daemen. Here is a recap of their historic mission to space.

Also on board NS-18 will be thousands of postcards from Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future.

Meet Dr. Chris Boshuizen

Chris’s career has been dedicated to pushing the boundaries of space and igniting youth excitement in pursuing careers in STEM. He co-founded Planet Labs (Planet) in 2010 and served as the CTO for five years. Under his technical leadership Planet became the first company to commercially utilize nanosatellites, and now—having launched over 450 satellites—provides daily, global mapping of our changing planet from space.

From 2008 to 2012, Chris served as a Space Mission Architect at NASA’s Ames Research Center where he co-invented the NASA Phonesat, a free-flying orbital satellite built out of an ordinary smartphone. While at NASA, Chris also established Singularity University, a school for studying the consequences of accelerating technological development. While pursuing his BSc and then PhD in Physics from the University of Sydney, he organized several international space conferences for the youth of the world. He also served as the first Executive Director of the Space Generation Advisory Council.

“This is a fulfillment of my greatest childhood dream,” said Dr. Chris Boshuizen. “More importantly, though, I see this flight as an opportunity to inspire students to pursue careers in STEM and catalyze the next generation of space explorers. After all, our future of life in space is in their very capable hands.”

Meet Glen de Vries

Glen de Vries co-founded Medidata Solutions in 1999, the world’s most used clinical research platform. The company’s software has powered over 25,000 clinical trials with more than seven million patients in every therapeutic area, from vaccines to cancers and rare diseases. He is the Vice Chair of Life Sciences and Healthcare at Dassault Systčmes, which acquired Medidata in 2019. Glen serves as a Trustee of Carnegie Mellon University, is the author of “The Patient Equation,” and is an instrument rated private pilot.

“I’ve spent my entire career working to extend people’s lives. However, with limited materials and energy on Earth, extending our reach into space can help humanity continue to thrive,” said Glen de Vries. "Furthermore, astronauts can experience the 'overview effect,' gaining a new perspective on how fragile and precious our planet, those resources, and our civilization are. Playing a part in advancing the space industry and one day making those resources and that understanding available to everyone, is an incredible opportunity. I’ve been passionate about aviation and space for as long as I can remember, so this flight is truly a dream come true.”

Follow @BlueOrigin on Twitter and sign up on BlueOrigin.com to stay up to date on all mission details.

-Gradatim Ferociter

[hektor]

Is it a tie in to the new Dune movie ?

[Bob Shaw]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

At 90, it'd be a hell of a way to go/cement one's legacy. Not that he is planning on checking out, the system seems quite safe.

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

If Shatner's vertebrae collapse during the flight then we can certainly say that he faced the spinal frontier...

I'll get me coat.

[TrevorMonty]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

At 90, it'd be a hell of a way to go/cement one's legacy. Not that he is planning on checking out, the system seems quite safe.

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

If Shatner's vertebrae collapse during the flight then we can certainly say that he faced the spinal frontier...

I'll get me coat.

Good luck trying to do CPR in 0g.

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

[matthewkantar]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

At 90, it'd be a hell of a way to go/cement one's legacy. Not that he is planning on checking out, the system seems quite safe.

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

If Shatner's vertebrae collapse during the flight then we can certainly say that he faced the spinal frontier...

I'll get me coat.

Good luck trying to do CPR in 0g.

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

Seems doable in a capsule. Cardiac victim strapped in seat. First aid provider can brace feet on wall and go to town. I doubt CPR is going to save any lives on a short flight though.

[meekGee]

This won't be great publicity when someone who is not fit for spaceflight and has a medical emergency or dies during flight.

At 90, it'd be a hell of a way to go/cement one's legacy. Not that he is planning on checking out, the system seems quite safe.

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

If Shatner's vertebrae collapse during the flight then we can certainly say that he faced the spinal frontier...

I'll get me coat.

Good luck trying to do CPR in 0g.

Sent from my SM-G570Y using Tapatalk

I don't know if CPR can exactly fix vertebrae collapse, no matter the g load.

[tleski]

Is Chris Boshuizen posing in front of the Starship?

[Comga]

Have you heard Shatner's version of Hawkwind's Silver Machine? Hopefully, you haven't.

Or “Mr Tambourine Man” 
Goodness I hope he doesn’t sing, but it would bother others more than me, because I wont be hanging on this with baited breath.
But forget the Kirk outfit. Let’s hope Bezos has rules prohibiting all those handguns in the suit pockets of Denny Crane!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/cboshuizen/status/1443715781305458695

Heading to Texas in only 10 days and am admittedly feeling a little nervous! But I just got a care package from @blueorigin. Some really cool goodies in here! Can’t wait to show up in TX with the new hat!
#Astronaut
#BlueOrigin
#NewShepard
#60MilesUp
#NS18

[Surfdaddy]

Do we know whether the William Shatner rumors are correct? I don't remember hearing this confirmed officially.

[wheedude]

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

Probably not. https://www.space.com/russian-film-crew-medically-fit-spaceflight

If we're talking about actors in space, lets remember Mae Jemison.  She began a short career in acting in 1993, less than a year after her shuttle mission.  So, while she was an astronaut first, and an actor second, I think it still counts.  At least as much as riding New Shepard qualifies one as an astronaut. 

Anyway, I kinda hope Shatner takes the trip, and it's successful.  Good press with big names is always good for public awareness with science and spaceflight. 

[Andy Bandy]

Wonder if the FAA investigation of safety issues will delay this flight much if at all. The thing is, the FAA has so little authority over safety. Their responsibility is protect the uninvolved public. It's not really a problem where they launch. The linked story goes through what the FAA can and can't do.

http://www.parabolicarc.com/2021/10/01/faa-examination-of-blue-origin-safety-issues-likely-to-be-very-narrow/

[Polaroid]

Edit: Also, he'd be the first actor in SPAAAAAACE, beating out Tom Cruise. I'd love to see it.

Probably not. https://www.space.com/russian-film-crew-medically-fit-spaceflight

If we're talking about actors in space, lets remember Mae Jemison.  She began a short career in acting in 1993, less than a year after her shuttle mission.  So, while she was an astronaut first, and an actor second, I think it still counts.  At least as much as riding New Shepard qualifies one as an astronaut. 

Anyway, I kinda hope Shatner takes the trip, and it's successful.  Good press with big names is always good for public awareness with science and spaceflight.

I believe Sian Proctor is also an actress, in addition to her other professions and hobbies.

Whoever goes up, hopefully it's a successful flight and brings positive PR to HSF.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1445012640380637192

News – Blue Origin confirms William Shatner is launching on the next crewed New Shepard spaceflight.

The original Star Trek's Captain Kirk is scheduled to liftoff Oct. 12:
https://www.cnbc.com/2021/10/04/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-launching-william-shatner-on-next-spaceflight.html

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1445013102873899013

Two incredible and inspirational people will join the #NS18 crew. Actor @WilliamShatner and Blue Origin’s Vice President of Mission & Flight Operations Audrey Powers @AudreyKPowers.

Edit to add:

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1445014271809622025

Audrey Powers has been at Blue Origin since 2013 and no one is more familiar with the #NewShepard vehicle and its operations. Audrey had 2000 hours on console for the ISS, is a pilot, engineer, sponsor of the New Mercury resource group at Blue, and Chair of @csf_spaceflight.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/williamshatner/status/1445023239105703946

So now I can say something. Yes, it’s true; I’m going to be a “rocket man!” 😝🤣

[Scintillant]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1445014271809622025

Audrey Powers has been at Blue Origin since 2013 and no one is more familiar with the #NewShepard vehicle and its operations. Audrey had 2000 hours on console for the ISS, is a pilot, engineer, sponsor of the New Mercury resource group at Blue, and Chair of @csf_spaceflight.

What exactly is the New Mercury resource group? Google just gives results about Wally Funk.

[AlexP]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1445014271809622025

Audrey Powers has been at Blue Origin since 2013 and no one is more familiar with the #NewShepard vehicle and its operations. Audrey had 2000 hours on console for the ISS, is a pilot, engineer, sponsor of the New Mercury resource group at Blue, and Chair of @csf_spaceflight.

What exactly is the New Mercury resource group? Google just gives results about Wally Funk.

Web article gives the fuller title of "Blue Origin’s New Mercury gender diversity business resource group". Gives more of an idea as to what it is at least, if not really helping with what it "exactly" is.

https://www.blueorigin.com/news/shatner-powers-announced-ns18

[Zed_Noir]

Got to wonder if Blue Origin is paying William Shatner to go up in NS-18. Seems Blue Origin really need Shatner to paper over their recent PR issues.


Under this premise hope the Admiral gets as much remuneration as he can squeeze out of Bezos. 

[deadman1204]

Got to wonder if Blue Origin is paying William Shatner to go up in NS-18. Seems Blue Origin really need Shatner to paper over their recent PR issues.


Under this premise hope the Admiral gets as much remuneration as he can squeeze out of Bezos. 

I doubt they are using him. Though I find it quite believable that they gave him the ticket.

[Zed_Noir]

Got to wonder if Blue Origin is paying William Shatner to go up in NS-18. Seems Blue Origin really need Shatner to paper over their recent PR issues.


Under this premise hope the Admiral gets as much remuneration as he can squeeze out of Bezos. 

I doubt they are using him. Though I find it quite believable that they gave him the ticket.

Shatner don't have to do anything. His presence aboard the NS-18 will generated enough media coverage to drown out the Blue Origin PR issues for some time. It is worth some remuneration more than just a ticket.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Video of interview this morning with William Shatner is in this article:

https://www.today.com/popculture/william-shatner-talks-upcoming-mission-seeing-vastness-space-himself-t233084

William Shatner talks upcoming mission and seeing 'the vastness of space' for himself
The 90-year-old “Star Trek” icon opens up about his opportunity to really face the final frontier.

Oct. 5, 2021, 1:34 PM BST / Source: TODAY
By Ree Hines

When William Shatner took on the role of Capt. James T. Kirk on the original “Star Trek” series in 1966, Neil Armstrong was still three years away from taking that first “giant leap for mankind” on the surface of the moon.

Now the 90-year-old actor is set to take a big step of his own as he prepares to boldly go where his on-screen alter ego went all the time — space.

I’ll add YT link when it’s available.

[meekGee]

Heh they should put a Captain's chair at the center of the capsule..

ABCD - Always Be Counting Down

[woods170]

Heh they should put a Captain's chair at the center of the capsule..

ABCD - Always Be Counting Down

They can only do so by removing the LAS engine.

[hektor]

William Shatner Overjoyed To Take Blue Origin Flight After Learning Space Actually Real

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/ac360/status/1445916631088128005

"I want to press my nose up against the plastic window. What I don't want to see is somebody else out there looking back at me."

William Shatner, 90, known for playing Captain Kirk on 'Star Trek,' jokes with @AndersonCooper about his plans for for space travel.

[njb]

Did anybody else pick up on the reference to Shatner's 1963 episode of The Twilight Zone, "Nightmare at 20,000ft"?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/thesheetztweetz/status/1446532226557128709

NS-18 crew member Glen de Vries yesterday arrived at Blue Origin's astronaut village in Texas, and today took an aerial tour of the company's launch site and facilities:

h/t @CaptainClinical  instagram.com/p/CUxJnneLJex/…

[darkenfast]

Did anybody else pick up on the reference to Shatner's 1963 episode of The Twilight Zone, "Nightmare at 20,000ft"?

Yep! I used to think about that every time I opened the pull-down shade on an airliner window! Definitely one of their best.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1446473046206947329

Thank you @AudreyKPowers and @WilliamShatner for chatting with Team Blue and taking our questions. Catch a glimpse of the conversation and learn what they are planning to do in space:

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447014621026607105

Astronaut @WilliamShatner has arrived to Astronaut Village. West Texas looks good on you, Captain, welcome!

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447236968451088390

Due to forecasted winds in West Texas we are pushing #NS18 launch target to Wednesday, October 13. Liftoff is targeted for 8:30 am CDT / 13:30 UTC. Live broadcast begins at T-90 mins on BlueOrigin.com. Stay tuned for more details.

[PM3]

Would be nice to slip this launch to 16th October. That would shatter the record of most people in space.

13 people - set by STS-128 in 1995
14 people - set by NS-16  on July 20, 2021
17 people - would be set by NS-18 on October 16, 2021

3 Soyuz MS-18, will deorbit on October 17 at ~04:00 UTC
4 SpaceX Crew-2
3 Soyuz MS-19
3 Shenzhou 13, will launch on October 15 at ~16:24 UTC
4 NS-18, launch at 13:30 UTC

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447364639612755976

The crew of #NS18.

[centaurinasa]

https://twitter.com/clubforfuture/status/1447672582241755137
https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447923117830115340

[Alberto-Girardi]

Do we have more accurarte data on the cost of a flight on the NS? If yes, do you thionk that BO will be able to brakeheaven with the project, or would this need lots of year?

[Star One]

BBC interview video:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/world-58867726

[Yiosie]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447975372373516291

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447975376685346817

[Conexion Espacial]

[Steven Pietrobon]

Aussie Blue Origin passenger confident space will be 'affordable' soon
Isabella Richards
12 October 2021

The Australian passenger onboard Blue Origin’s second crewed spaceflight launching this week, Dr Chris Boshuizen, is confident space will be “affordable” in the future.

https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/launch/5112-aussie-blue-origin-passenger-confident-space-will-be-affordable-soon

[Slothman]

Just out of interest, which one of those 2 dudes is the one who paid the ungodly sum of $28 Million to be on the first flight, but then had to let someone else go first because he had an appointment and instead goes on the second flight now?

[litton4]

....and he's not wearing red, so he'll be fine.

[Rocket Science]

Having been young enough to watch the show when first aired at the age of 10, Kirk and Star Trek has has influenced more young people to study space, science and engineering than any other including myself so this is a good thing... God Speed Bill!

[spacexplorer]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447975372373516291

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1447975376685346817

To what should I refer to?
T -xx:xx or H -xx:xx in the live feed?

[Fmedici]

To what should I refer to?
T -xx:xx or H -xx:xx in the live feed?

You should refer to the T- indicator, the H- appears when there's a hold and counts for how long the countdown has not advanced

[spacexplorer]

Live text explanations of what is going on:
https://www.independent.co.uk/space/blue-origin-launch-live-stream-shatner-b1937385.html

[spacexplorer]

To what should I refer to?
T -xx:xx or H -xx:xx in the live feed?

You should refer to the T- indicator, the H- appears when there's a hold and counts for how long the countdown has not advanced

So "T -0:45:01 H -0:28:53" means that countdown stopped 28 minutes ago at -0:45:01 ?

[litton4]

Count just resumed.....

[Rocket Science]

Go for astronaut load!

[spacexplorer]

Updated timeline:

T-44 mins: Go for astronaut load

T-40 mins: Drive to launch pad

T-38 mins: Ring road crew photo

T-36 mins: Tower ascent

T-31 mins: Crew ingress

T-29 mins: Hatch close

[spacexplorer]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1448284059482927104

[Rocket Science]

Ring that bell time!

[Rocket Science]

Captain Kirk being piped aboard...

[Rocket Science]

Com checks completed, hatch closed by Jeff...

[Rocket Science]

Pad crew departing... Countdown resuming..

[Bananas_on_Mars]

Com checks completed, hatch closed by Jeff...

You have to wonder wether so many people left that Jeff has to do all their jobs - driving, capsule close-out …

Might even be Jeffs girlfriend flying the helicopter…

Welcome to the Blue Origin Family, truely a family business it seems.

[electricdawn]

God Speed, William Shatner and the rest of the crew. I don't care about Blue Origin and its shenanigans right now. All I wish for them is the best experience of their life and that they come back home safely.

[Rocket Science]

Poll complete... Go for launch!

[spacexplorer]

5 minutes to go.

Flight timeline:


https://www.independent.co.uk/space/blue-origin-launch-live-stream-shatner-b1937385.html

[spacexplorer]

Planned flight duration: 11 minutes (~3 in micro-gravity)

[spacexplorer]

2 minutes to launch

[Rocket Science]

Gantry retract, control fin  and engine gimbal check..

[Rocket Science]

Liftoff!

[Rocket Science]

Max Q..

[spacexplorer]

100000 ft in 01:52

[Rocket Science]

MECO..

[spacexplorer]

200000 ft / 61 km in 2:25
cutoff

[Rocket Science]

Sep...

[spacexplorer]

300000 ft / 91 km in 03:05

[Rocket Science]

Welcome to space... 

[spacexplorer]

Top altitude: 351000 ft in 04:05

[spacexplorer]

karman line was left behind at 328084ft/100km 

[AlexP]

One thing I continue not to understand is why, when "100km is the internationally recognised boundary of space" is a big line for them, they continue to show altitude in feet rather than km/m.

[Rocket Science]

Booster drag brakes out...

[Rocket Science]

Booster Touchdown...

[spacexplorer]

Booster successfully landed at 14:56 UTC.

[spacexplorer]

Captain Kirk now coming down....

[Rocket Science]

Drogues and main chutes out...

[spacexplorer]

parachute open. T +08:37

[spacexplorer]

Coming down at 17 mph....

[spacexplorer]

1000 ft to go....

[Rocket Science]

Capsule touchdown... Welcome back!

[otter]

Capsule landed. Congrats!

[spacexplorer]

Safely landed at T+10:17

Captain Kirk is back on Earth.

[Rocket Science]

Recovery team deployed...

[otter]

 

[Rocket Science]

All astronauts A-OK...

[Rocket Science]

Sarah Knights getting thumbs up all around...

[meekGee]

"Its 11-minute mission...  To boldly go..."

[Rocket Science]

Jeff getting thumbs up from crew as well...

[Rocket Science]

Hatch opened by Jeff...

[Bananas_on_Mars]

With all that yanking on the parachute lines, shouldn‘t they have separated upon touchdown?

[Rocket Science]

Crew exiting "Captain Kirk himself..."

[Rocket Science]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

[Rocket Science]

Bill in tears...

[electricdawn]

I just love William Shatner being absolutely awestruck and emotionally overwhelmed.

[Rocket Science]

Bill commenting on the thinness of the atmosphere and the need to protect it...

[Rocket Science]

Bill "I hope I never get over it..."

[Rocket Science]

Astronaut pins!

[equiserre]

Bill Shattner comments were EPIC! great job cameraman, production and Jeff Bezos for just sitting there quiet and let him talk

[spacexplorer]

https://www.independent.co.uk/space/blue-origin-launch-live-stream-shatner-b1937385.html

[Rocket Science]

I'm happy to see good news stories on the news coverage for a change brought to you by commercial spaceflight... It's gone full circle from seeing the first flights some 60 years ago... I feel like a kid again...

[Apollo-phill]

Yes, news coverage quite extent here in UK

My regional BBC station just finished live interview with me re flight.

And been live flight coverage on BBC web site.

Lets hope that - one day soon - we can all afford to take a trip to space !

" There's life, Jim but , it's as we know it  ." Its Earth life ! 😁

Apolo phill

[daedalus1]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

Am I right that his trip was free?
The vast majority of people on the planet will not get the chance. Not disagreeing with the endeavour though.

[Robotbeat]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

Am I right that his trip was free?
The vast majority of people on the planet will not get the chance. Not disagreeing with the endeavour though.

They Will if 1) the world continues developing and 2) ticket price drops to airline ticket territory.

[eric z]

   Thanks to Rocket Science and everyone else for the coverage. Mr.Shatner's words post-flight were deep, moving and indeed priceless. My wife suggested they should send up "Baldie" next, that's her nickname for Patrick Stewart. I like the idea of sending up old-timers, maybe early shuttle veterans, with a young person, like a spelling bee winner or a science fair finalist or a young musician, etc. We used to know a wonderfully intelligent, curious kid who had almost no use of his legs - in space that would not be a handicap. Good job all around today!

[ThereIWas3]

It is pretty amazing what the effect of adding one has-been actor to the passenger list has had on the amount of coverage, compared to the first flight.  Even CNBC was covering this.

[aviators99]

Bill Shattner comments were EPIC! great job cameraman, production and Jeff Bezos for just sitting there quiet and let him talk

Except I was really annoyed when Bezos *did* interrupt him, right when he was going to say the most emotional and (to Shatner) the most profound thing.  He interrupted to open the champagne.  I could see that Shatner was a bit embarrassed by this.  But luckily he recovered and continued on to say those amazing words.

[daedalus1]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

Am I right that his trip was free?
The vast majority of people on the planet will not get the chance. Not disagreeing with the endeavour though.

They Will if 1) the world continues developing and 2) ticket price drops to airline ticket territory.

Those are two big if's.
Ticket prices have actually been going up. VG started with $200,000, now they are both in the $450,000 territory.

[ZachS09]

Bill Shattner comments were EPIC! great job cameraman, production and Jeff Bezos for just sitting there quiet and let him talk

Well, with the exception of that one part where Jeff Bezos walked away just to get some champagne and spray it all over.

I found that really rude of Jeff to do that, and I hope he takes in the monologue William Shatner gave.

[Orbiter]

Bill Shattner comments were EPIC! great job cameraman, production and Jeff Bezos for just sitting there quiet and let him talk

Well, with the exception of that one part where Jeff Bezos walked away just to get some champagne and spray it all over.

I found that really rude of Jeff to do that, and I hope he takes in the monologue William Shatner gave.

I mean, who can just walk away from Captain Kirk as he's giving the most profound monologue about the vastness of space? I'd be glued to the spot!

[Rocket Science]

Bill will be a great ambassador for spaceflight to those exposed to Star Trek and Captain Kirk by their parents and grandparents watching the TV show... Hope this ignites some flames in some young minds that they to can reach for the stars in whatever they pursue... Congrats to all well done!

[Star One]

‘Captain Kirk’ gets emotional after Blue Origin spaceflight:

[whitelancer64]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

Am I right that his trip was free?
The vast majority of people on the planet will not get the chance. Not disagreeing with the endeavour though.

They Will if 1) the world continues developing and 2) ticket price drops to airline ticket territory.

Those are two big if's.
Ticket prices have actually been going up. VG started with $200,000, now they are both in the $450,000 territory.

Initial price projections vs. real world, after delays and technical setbacks. It's still vastly cheaper than booking a ride to orbit.

Ticket prices should go down as flight rates go up, assuming there are minimal issues in flight and the vehicles are reliably reusable.

[kessdawg]

I'm sure a significant fraction of that price increase is due to market demand at those higher prices being greater than expected.

[AstroDave]

Pluses: Safe flight, good coverage, Shattner comments post flight

Minuses: Bezos interrupting Shattner as he recounts flight (can the champaign wait a few minutes?), Bezos running around in blue flight suit (yeah, it's his company and he can do what he wants. It just looks goofy when everyone else is in civies)

Interested to hear what all crew members think after they have some more time to process events.

[sghill]

We finally sent a poet up there.

I think his words captured what so many of us on NSF- and other folks equally passionate about spaceflight- feel viscerally every day.

I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all.

[yg1968]

William Shatner's description of the blackness of space and the blanket, the comforter of blue surrounding the Earth... we we're moved to tears

MaryLiz made a transcript of the entire moment here: 
https://cosmicperspective.com/william-shatner-overview-effect-ns18/ Press play and read along

https://twitter.com/considercosmos/status/1448329199886995461

[Vultur]

William Shatner's description of the blackness of space and the blanket, the comforter of blue surrounding the Earth... we we're moved to tears

MaryLiz made a transcript of the entire moment here: 
https://cosmicperspective.com/william-shatner-overview-effect-ns18/ Press play and read along

Honestly, this is I think the real benefit from the New Shepard / VG style suborbital hops.

The more influential people who get that experience, the better for the world IMO.

It's not just the lower price vs orbital (not that New Shepard seats exactly have a "stable" market price yet, do they?) but the training time is way way less than what say the Inspiration4 crew did - to the point that time might be prohibitive to some people that price wouldn't be, for an orbital flight.

[RedSky]

Crew at apogee, Shatner awestruck...

[Robotbeat]

"Everybody in the world needs to do this, everybody in the world needs to see this..." Shatner...

Am I right that his trip was free?
The vast majority of people on the planet will not get the chance. Not disagreeing with the endeavour though.

They Will if 1) the world continues developing and 2) ticket price drops to airline ticket territory.

Those are two big if's.
Ticket prices have actually been going up. VG started with $200,000, now they are both in the $450,000 territory.

It certainly won’t be on New Shepard or SS2.

The world will continue developing. Little doubt in that. But if we get low cost spaceflight, ala Starship Earth to Earth, that is indeed a big If.

[Vultur]

It certainly won’t be on New Shepard or SS2.

Definitely not.

I think the hope/ideal/dream is that these vehicles would be like the very first airplanes to fly a passenger - a first step toward something much more capable and widely available.

(Of course, even if that happens, it may well be an evolution from an orbital system like Starship instead... But technological progress is rarely all that predictable except in hindsight.)

[meekGee]

It certainly won’t be on New Shepard or SS2.

Definitely not.

I think the hope/ideal/dream is that these vehicles would be like the very first airplanes to fly a passenger - a first step toward something much more capable and widely available.

(Of course, even if that happens, it may well be an evolution from an orbital system like Starship instead... But technological progress is rarely all that predictable except in hindsight.)

Nothing about this required hindsight...

Neither NS or SS2 are suborbital in the sense that Alan Shepard's flight was.

They're about as suborbital as jumping rope.

SS2 is a complete dead end and always was. NS has theoretical lineage to a larger rocket, but in practice, it's been years since that was even an option.

Both may serve to somehow raise interest in spaceflight, but with SpaceX around, it's been years again since that was still relevant.

What remains in either case is a joyride with a very limited horizon. (Oh, a pun!)

Given the conduit of both companies (VG's cavalier attitude towards safety and BO's litigative habit), it's not too soon.

[Vultur]

NS has theoretical lineage to a larger rocket, but in practice, it's been years since that was even an option.

Well, yes, I was talking about back when the New Shepard program was originally started. I admit I don't know when that was, but probably 2010 or before given that they were doing crew capsule tests in 2012.

EDIT: to put that more clearly: yes, I was referring partly to the earlier idea of BO's first orbital rocket being a direct evolution of New Shepard (though New Glenn now won't be) and partly to the "raising public interest" side (yeah, that might be kind of irrelevant now, but I don't think it seemed that way in 2010).

[JJ starman]

Will there be a post flight conference?

[hektor]

For someone who would like to study the overview effect this recording of William Shatner is very interesting material. Unfiltered, from a non professional eye, and only a few minutes after the fact.

[kevinof]

I'm no fan of BO , their antics, their management and I also find their live streams hard to digest (maybe it's my age and "Grumpy old men" comes to mind) but  I loved the reaction of William Shatner to the flight. Just fantastic, from the heart and what a chance in a lifetime for anyone, let alone a 90 year old to experience this. And it really meant something to him.

Wonderful stuff.

[JMS]

It is pretty amazing what the effect of adding one has-been actor to the passenger list has had on the amount of coverage, compared to the first flight.  Even CNBC was covering this.

Has-been actor is harsh. He's 90 and still working... as he has been consistently for decades.
May I be so "has-been" when I'm 70... in nine years.
Great to see this happen. A genuine reaction to the experience.

[yg1968]

https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1448751792456704017

[yg1968]

[yg1968]

[su27k]

https://twitter.com/jeff_foust/status/1448675533655470084

Monteith [FAA's Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation]: no one happier than I was yesterday when Capt. Kirk got on New Shepard and was not wearing a red shirt. (Also, more seriously, puts in a  call to for his office to be able to regulate safety of spaceflight participants on such flights.) #vonbraun2021

[zubenelgenubi]

Posts regarding William Windsor's (Prince William) criticism of this flight have been split/merged to the appropriate discussion thread: Criticism against suborbital and orbital space tourism

[yg1968]

Great interview by Mike Massimino on William Shatner's flight and his description of space:

https://twitter.com/Astro_Mike/status/1449036998333898756

[Eric Hedman]

We finally sent a poet up there.

I think his words captured what so many of us on NSF- and other folks equally passionate about spaceflight- feel viscerally every day.

I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all.

"I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all."

He already did: 

https://cdn.crooksandliars.com/files/primary_image/21/10/suck_it_picard.jpg


 

[kessdawg]

We finally sent a poet up there.

I think his words captured what so many of us on NSF- and other folks equally passionate about spaceflight- feel viscerally every day.

I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all.

"I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all."

He already did: 

https://cdn.crooksandliars.com/files/primary_image/21/10/suck_it_picard.jpg


 

That is a photoshop in case not everyone was aware.

[Rocket Science]

Bill will be on Anderson Cooper again to follow up his pre-flight interview at 8pm ET...

[hektor]

I noticed that contrary to NS-16 there were no shoulder flags for this one. Crew decision or new Blue policy?

[meekGee]

We finally sent a poet up there.

I think his words captured what so many of us on NSF- and other folks equally passionate about spaceflight- feel viscerally every day.

I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all.

"I hope Shatner leverages his experience today to the betterment of us all."

He already did: 

https://cdn.crooksandliars.com/files/primary_image/21/10/suck_it_picard.jpg


 

That is a photoshop in case not everyone was aware.

Awwww....

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's a very good interview with Dr Chris Boshuizen on his flight.

https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/operations/5130-podcast-space-connect-meets-aussie-on-blue-origin-flight

[Steven Pietrobon]

Aussie on Blue Origin flight helped calm Shatner’s nerves
Isabella Richards
22 October 2021

Blue Origin’s Australian passenger, Dr Chris Boshuizen, has told the Space Connect Podcast how he taught William Shatner breathing techniques to calm his nerves before the spaceflight.

https://www.spaceconnectonline.com.au/launch/5128-i-taught-him-how-to-slow-down-his-breath-shatner-nervous-before-spaceflight

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's the song that Dr Chris Boshuizen wrote with British actor Stephen Fry!

[Rondaz]

Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space instead of Shatner.

Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space instead of Shatner, but he refused because of the price.

13:16 03.11.2021

WASHINGTON, November 3 - RIA Novosti. Hollywood actor Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space on the New Shepard instead of actor William Shatner, but he refused to pay $ 28 million for the flight.

The reusable suborbital spacecraft New Shepard successfully completed its second manned flight on October 13, and 90-year-old Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek, became the oldest person in space.

"Well, yes, provided I pay," Hanks replied to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who asked for confirmation that Hanks, not Shatner, was the first to fly.

The actor also noted that they wanted to send him into space for "28 million dollars or something like that."
"I'm doing well, Jimmy ... But I'm not going to pay the $ 28 million," Hanks said.

 The actor invited the audience to reproduce the flight to the New Shepard: lean back in a chair, shake for four minutes, then, spreading arms and legs, spin "in zero gravity" and complete their journey with a four-minute shaking.

https://ria.ru/20211103/kosmos-1757534754.html

[meekGee]

Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space instead of Shatner.

Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space instead of Shatner, but he refused because of the price.

13:16 03.11.2021

WASHINGTON, November 3 - RIA Novosti. Hollywood actor Tom Hanks was offered to fly into space on the New Shepard instead of actor William Shatner, but he refused to pay $ 28 million for the flight.

The reusable suborbital spacecraft New Shepard successfully completed its second manned flight on October 13, and 90-year-old Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in Star Trek, became the oldest person in space.

"Well, yes, provided I pay," Hanks replied to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, who asked for confirmation that Hanks, not Shatner, was the first to fly.

The actor also noted that they wanted to send him into space for "28 million dollars or something like that."
"I'm doing well, Jimmy ... But I'm not going to pay the $ 28 million," Hanks said.

 The actor invited the audience to reproduce the flight to the New Shepard: lean back in a chair, shake for four minutes, then, spreading arms and legs, spin "in zero gravity" and complete their journey with a four-minute shaking.

https://ria.ru/20211103/kosmos-1757534754.html

Wow, somehow in the process they got on his bad side...

[Steven Pietrobon]

Here's the actual interview. Go to 5:25 for the Blue Origin part.

[hektor]

I thought that $28 million was the result of the auction for the first ticket, not the regular ticket price.

In retrospect I wonder if this auction was a good move, since everybody seems confused about the price policy of New Shepard now.

(Also I was under the impression that W. Shatner did not pay anything for the trip. If this information is correct why would Hanks pay then ?)

[Zed_Noir]

....
Also I was under the impression that W. Shatner did not pay anything for the trip. If this information is correct why would Hanks pay then ?
....

My guess is that Tom Hanks was consider first as the "named celebrity" for the NS-18 flight as a paying customer. He is younger than Shatner by about a quarter century and was in the "Apollo 13" movie. Apparently the ticket price negotiation falls apart near the launch date. So Blue Origin need to find another "named celebrity".


So they talk to Shatner. It appears that Shatner demand either he pays nothing or they can find someone else of equal status, IMO. Remember Blue Origin was having a lot bad press coverage at that time. So guessing Blue Origin (more likely Bezos) make an executive decision to wash away the bad PR with Shatner getting a free ride.

[matthewkantar]

I thought that $28 million was the result of the auction for the first ticket, not the regular ticket price.

In retrospect I wonder if this auction was a good move, since everybody seems confused about the price policy of New Shepard now.

(Also I was under the impression that W. Shatner did not pay anything for the trip. If this information is correct why would Hanks pay then ?)

In response to the bit I bolded, "confusion" isn't the right word. We need a word for a near total information vacuum. If they used the highest price anybody would pay for the FIRST ride, to set the price for future rides, they are worse at this than I imagined.

[deadman1204]

I thought that $28 million was the result of the auction for the first ticket, not the regular ticket price.

In retrospect I wonder if this auction was a good move, since everybody seems confused about the price policy of New Shepard now.

(Also I was under the impression that W. Shatner did not pay anything for the trip. If this information is correct why would Hanks pay then ?)

In response to the bit I bolded, "confusion" isn't the right word. We need a word for a near total information vacuum. If they used the highest price anybody would pay for the FIRST ride, to set the price for future rides, they are worse at this than I imagined.

That was actually the entire purpose of the auction. To drive up the price and set the public expectation for a ticket.

[matthewkantar]

I thought that $28 million was the result of the auction for the first ticket, not the regular ticket price.

In retrospect I wonder if this auction was a good move, since everybody seems confused about the price policy of New Shepard now.

(Also I was under the impression that W. Shatner did not pay anything for the trip. If this information is correct why would Hanks pay then ?)

In response to the bit I bolded, "confusion" isn't the right word. We need a word for a near total information vacuum. If they used the highest price anybody would pay for the FIRST ride, to set the price for future rides, they are worse at this than I imagined.

That was actually the entire purpose of the auction. To drive up the price and set the public expectation for a ticket.

Pricing 101; on the curve of what people were willing to pay, the high bidder is an outlier, a set of one. If they are not idiots, they will go back up the curve and find the price that maxes out their flight rate.

Begging A listers to buy seats at an inflated price is gross.

[Comga]

Are people taking seriously what Hanks and Kimmel said?
It’s late night TV, folks, not …. NASASpaceflight.

[Steven Pietrobon]

Are people taking seriously what Hanks and Kimmel said?
It’s late night TV, folks, not …. NASASpaceflight.

I'm not. Perhaps the phone conversion went like this.

Blue Origin: "How would you like to be on the next flight of New Shepard into space?"
Tom Hanks: "Nah, not interested" and hangs up phone, assuming the price was $28M when it was actually free!
Blue Origin: Well, that didn't go too well. Who's next on the list?

[StevenOBrien]

Sad update to this: It was just reported that one of the crew members on this flight, Glen de Vries, died in a plane accident yesterday.

https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/fairlawn/police-fire/major-ny-tech-company-founder-who-flew-flight-with-shatner-one-of-two-killed-in-nj-plane-crash/819932/

[ZachS09]

Sad update to this: It was just reported that one of the crew members on this flight, Glen de Vries, died in a plane accident yesterday.

https://dailyvoice.com/new-jersey/fairlawn/police-fire/major-ny-tech-company-founder-who-flew-flight-with-shatner-one-of-two-killed-in-nj-plane-crash/819932/

I can't believe it. Only one month after his spaceflight.

[litton4]

Just saw this - all the "jokes" about Red shirts notwithstanding.....

RIP

[Rondaz]

Space tourist Blue Origin crashes in the fall of a light aircraft.

Blue Origin space tourist Glen de Vries crashes in light-engine plane crash.

01:10 11/13/2021

WASHINGTON, November 13 - RIA Novosti. Businessman Glen de Vries, who made a suborbital flight on the New Shepard in October, died in a plane crash, Blue Origin reported on Friday.

"We are saddened to hear of the sudden death of Glen de Vries, he brought so much life and energy to the entire Blue Origin team and the entire crew. His love of aviation, his charitable work and his dedication to his cause will long be respected and admired," the company wrote in your Twitter .

As reported by CNN , citing New Jersey State Police , the accident occurred on Thursday in the Hampton area, 65 kilometers from New York . The light-engine aircraft Cessna 172, for an unknown reason, crashed into a forest belt. The Transportation Security Administration is investigating the incident.

In the cockpit, in addition to 49-year-old de Vreis, there was 54-year-old Thomas Fischer, a hereditary aviation instructor and head of Fischer Aviation, where de Vreis took flight lessons since 2016. Fischer, according to media reports, also died.

Glen de Vries visited the border with space on October 13. He flew alongside 90-year-old actor William Shatner, Blue Origin vice president Audrey Powers and former NASA engineer Chris Boshuizen. After the flight, the head of Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos , who himself went into space last summer, personally presented the newly minted astronauts with special badges. The cost of the flight into space, de Vries, who founded the software company Medidata Solutions, did not disclose, but said it was "worth it."

https://ria.ru/20211113/padenie-1758866630.html

[yg1968]

https://twitter.com/WilliamShatner/status/1467648732996927489

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/variety/status/1578263858094841856

In an exclusive excerpt from William Shatner’s new book, “Boldly Go: Reflections on a Life of Awe and Wonder,” the “Star Trek” actor reflects on his voyage into space on Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/william-shatner-space-boldly-go-excerpt-1235395113/

twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1578423383380951042

"It was among the strongest feelings of grief I have ever encountered. The contrast between the vicious coldness of space and the warm nurturing of Earth below filled me with overwhelming sadness ... My trip to space was supposed to be a celebration ... it felt like a funeral."

https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1578424117954576384

The honesty and lack of sugarcoating from @WilliamShatner in this piece is something to take in, savor, and appreciate. Earth is a precious jewel in the lonely cosmos. As we expand as a species we need to protect it. I hope—but am far from certain—that humanity is up to the task.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

[Hamish.Student]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

[whitelancer64]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

[LouScheffer]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

Not only that, but anything in free fall (including you jumping off your desk) is technically in orbit.  It's just an orbit with a low perigee that intersects the Earth's surface.  So technically the passengers not only flew on Bezos' space shuttle, they went into orbit.

[DanClemmensen]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

I disagree. For all shuttles I can think of, a shuttle goes from point A to point B in one trip, and from point B back to point A in a separate trip. If you come back to where you started without getting out of the vehicle, your trip is not a shuttle trip.

[deadman1204]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

Not only that, but anything in free fall (including you jumping off your desk) is technically in orbit.  It's just an orbit with a low perigee that intersects the Earth's surface.  So technically the passengers not only flew on Bezos' space shuttle, they went into orbit.

No, orbit has a very specific definition. There is literally nothing orbital about NS (or people jumping off of desks).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit
Basically a curved trajectory that goes AROUND a celestial body. If the path collides with the body, its not an orbital path.

[LouScheffer]

Not only that, but anything in free fall (including you jumping off your desk) is technically in orbit.  It's just an orbit with a low perigee that intersects the Earth's surface.  So technically the passengers not only flew on Bezos' space shuttle, they went into orbit.

No, orbit has a very specific definition. There is literally nothing orbital about NS (or people jumping off of desks).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit
Basically a curved trajectory that goes AROUND a celestial body. If the path collides with the body, its not an orbital path.

You are using common sense, as opposed to the pointless technicality we are deliberately using here.  From the exact article you quoted 'All these motions are actually "orbits" in a technical sense—they are describing a portion of an elliptical path around the center of gravity—but the orbits are interrupted by striking the Earth.'

[deadman1204]

Not only that, but anything in free fall (including you jumping off your desk) is technically in orbit.  It's just an orbit with a low perigee that intersects the Earth's surface.  So technically the passengers not only flew on Bezos' space shuttle, they went into orbit.

No, orbit has a very specific definition. There is literally nothing orbital about NS (or people jumping off of desks).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit
Basically a curved trajectory that goes AROUND a celestial body. If the path collides with the body, its not an orbital path.

You are using common sense, as opposed to the pointless technicality we are deliberately using here.  From the exact article you quoted 'All these motions are actually "orbits" in a technical sense—they are describing a portion of an elliptical path around the center of gravity—but the orbits are interrupted by striking the Earth.'

[whitelancer64]

Not only that, but anything in free fall (including you jumping off your desk) is technically in orbit.  It's just an orbit with a low perigee that intersects the Earth's surface.  So technically the passengers not only flew on Bezos' space shuttle, they went into orbit.

No, orbit has a very specific definition. There is literally nothing orbital about NS (or people jumping off of desks).

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orbit
Basically a curved trajectory that goes AROUND a celestial body. If the path collides with the body, its not an orbital path.

You are using common sense, as opposed to the pointless technicality we are deliberately using here.  From the exact article you quoted 'All these motions are actually "orbits" in a technical sense—they are describing a portion of an elliptical path around the center of gravity—but the orbits are interrupted by striking the Earth.'

[whitelancer64]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

I disagree. For all shuttles I can think of, a shuttle goes from point A to point B in one trip, and from point B back to point A in a separate trip. If you come back to where you started without getting out of the vehicle, your trip is not a shuttle trip.

By that definition, for many of its flights, the Space Shuttle was not a shuttle.

[DanClemmensen]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

I disagree. For all shuttles I can think of, a shuttle goes from point A to point B in one trip, and from point B back to point A in a separate trip. If you come back to where you started without getting out of the vehicle, your trip is not a shuttle trip.

By that definition, for many of its flights, the Space Shuttle was not a shuttle.

Shuttle describes a function, not a vehicle. A vehicle that typically performs the shuttle function is often called a shuttle. the same vehicle can perform other functions. Compare "airport shuttle" and shuttle flights between DC and New York. New Shepard cannot perform the shuttle function and will never perform the shuttle function. You are correct: the STS did not always perform the shuttle function.

[meekGee]

Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin space shuttle

   
 
I know this is Variety we are talking about, but come on.

By the definition of a shuttle -- a vehicle that goes from one place to another and back again -- and since the New Shepard capsule does surpass 100 km altitude and therefore goes to space, it's technically correct to call it a space shuttle.

I disagree. For all shuttles I can think of, a shuttle goes from point A to point B in one trip, and from point B back to point A in a separate trip. If you come back to where you started without getting out of the vehicle, your trip is not a shuttle trip.

By that definition, for many of its flights, the Space Shuttle was not a shuttle.

Shuttle describes a function, not a vehicle. A vehicle that typically performs the shuttle function is often called a shuttle. the same vehicle can perform other functions. Compare "airport shuttle" and shuttle flights between DC and New York. New Shepard cannot perform the shuttle function and will never perform the shuttle function. You are correct: the STS did not always perform the shuttle function.

Besides, it also stayed at "point B" until it was decided that it needs to come back.

NS pops up and immediately falls back down.

But again, BO fans can play word games until the cows come home. Let NS be a "shuttle", let the people inside be "astronauts" or even "Jedi Knights" if they want to... It doesn't change anything.

[LouScheffer]

But again, BO fans can play word games until the cows come home. Let NS be a "shuttle", let the people inside be "astronauts" or even "Jedi Knights" if they want to... It doesn't change anything.

That's how you tell it's a slow news day - people who should know better (including myself) engage in pointless semantic arguments.  We'd rather be arguing over accident causes, recovery plans, return to flight schedules, and so on, but there is no news from the information black hole that is BO.

[meekGee]

But again, BO fans can play word games until the cows come home. Let NS be a "shuttle", let the people inside be "astronauts" or even "Jedi Knights" if they want to... It doesn't change anything.

That's how you tell it's a slow news day - people who should know better (including myself) engage in pointless semantic arguments.  We'd rather be arguing over accident causes, recovery plans, return to flight schedules, and so on, but there is no news from the information black hole that is BO.

Forget "should know better"...  I actually have a job, implausible as it may sound.