New Shepard

{{short description|Rocket developed by Blue Origin}} {{Use American English|date=October 2020}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2025}} {{Infobox rocket |name = New Shepard |image = New Shepard booster at Oshkosh Airventure 2017 03 (36103651636).jpg |caption = New Shepard rocket on display at EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2017 |function = Launching tourists and cargo on a suborbital trajectory |manufacturer = Blue Origin |country-origin = United States of America |height = 19.2 m (63 ft) |diameter = {{cvt|12.5|ft|order=flip}} |mass = {{cvt|35000|kg}} |stages = 1 |capacities = |status = Paused |sites = Launch Site One |launches = 38 |success = 37 |fail = 1 |landings = 36 |first = {{start date and age|April 29, 2015}} |last = January 22, 2026 |stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/stage |type = stage |stageno = Single |name = |length = |diameter = |empty =  |gross =  |propmass =  |engines = 1 × BE-3 |thrust = {{cvt|110000|lbf|kN|order=flip}} |SI =  |burntime = 141 seconds |fuel = LH{{sub|2}} / LOX }} }} '''New Shepard''' is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism by Blue Origin. The vehicle is named after Alan Shepard, for being the first American to travel into space, also being the fifth person to walk on the Moon. The vehicle is capable of vertical takeoff and landings. Additionally, it is also capable of carrying humans and customer payloads into a sub-orbital trajectory.

New Shepard consists of a launch rocket and a crew capsule. The capsule can be configured to house up to six passengers, cargo, or a combination of both. The launch rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine, which sends the capsule above the Kármán line, where passengers and cargo can experience a few minutes of weightlessness before the capsule returns to Earth.

The launch vehicle is designed to be fully reusable, with the capsule returning to Earth via three parachutes and a solid rocket motor. The rocket lands vertically on a landing pad 3.2{{nbsp}}km north of the launch pad. The company has successfully launched and landed the New Shepard launch vehicle 29 times with 1 partial failure deemed successful<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Jones |first=Caleb |title=New Shepard {{!}} NS-1 |url=https://spacelaunchnow.me/launch/new-shepard-ns-1/ |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Space Launch Now |language=en}}</ref> and 1 failure. The launch vehicle has a length of {{Convert|19.2|m|sp=us}}, a diameter of {{Convert|3.8|m|sp=us}} and a launch mass of {{Convert|35000|kg}}. The BE-3PM engine produces {{Convert|490|kN}} of thrust at liftoff.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date= May 21, 2023|title=Human Spaceflight Launch Service Providers 2022 |url=https://newspaceeconomy.ca/2023/05/21/technology-of-the-space-tourism-launch-service-providers/ |access-date=January 29, 2025 |website=New Space Economy |language=en}}</ref>

On January 30, 2026, Blue Origin announced further New Shepard launches would be paused for at least two years to allow the company to shift resources to their Blue Moon series of landers in support of the Artemis Program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-to-pause-flights|title=Blue Origin to Pause New Shepard Flights for No Less Than Two Years|date=January 30, 2026|access-date=January 30, 2026|website=blueorigin.com|url-status=live}}</ref>

== History == {{suborbital_spaceflight_timeline.svg}} The first development vehicle of the New Shepard development program was a sub-scale demonstration vehicle named ''Goddard'' that was built in 2006 following earlier engine development efforts by Blue Origin. ''Goddard'' was assembled at the Blue Origin facility in Kent, Washington, United States and made its first flight on November 13, 2006.<ref name="sfdc20070102">{{cite news |date=January 2, 2007 |title=Blue Origin Flight Test Update |url=http://www.spacefellowship.com/News/?p=1755 |publisher=SpaceFellowship |quote=''Our first objective is developing New Shepard, a vertical take-off, vertical-landing vehicle designed to take a small number of astronauts on a sub-orbital journey into space. On the morning of 13 November 2006, we launched and landed Goddard – a first development vehicle in the New Shepard program.''}}</ref> A second test flight was scheduled for December 2, but never took place.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

According to Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) records, two further flights were performed by ''Goddard''. Blue Engine 1, or BE-1, was the first rocket engine developed by Blue Origin and was used in the company's ''Goddard'' development vehicle. On the path to developing the New Shepard launch vehicle, a crew capsule was also needed, and design was begun on a space capsule in the early 2000s. One development milestone along the way became public. On October 19, 2012, Blue Origin conducted a successful pad escape of a full-scale suborbital crew capsule at its West Texas launch site. For the test, the capsule fired its pusher escape motor and launched from a launch vehicle simulator. The Crew Capsule traveled to an altitude of {{cvt|2307|ft|m|order=flip}} under active thrust vector control before descending safely by parachute to a soft landing {{cvt|1630|ft|m|order=flip}} downrange.<ref name="nsw20121022">{{cite news|last=Lindsay|first=Clark|title=Blue Origin carries out crew capsule pad escape test|url=http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/blue-origin-carries-out-crew-capsule-pad-escape-test-.html|access-date=October 23, 2012|newspaper=NewSpace Watch|date=October 22, 2012|archive-date=May 25, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210525040809/http://www.newspacewatch.com/articles/blue-origin-carries-out-crew-capsule-pad-escape-test-.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://spacenews.com/31790blue-origin-wraps-up-commercial-crew-work-with-escape-system-test/ |title=Blue Origin Wraps Up Commercial Crew Work with Escape System Test|first1=Dan |last1=Leone |date=October 29, 2012 |publisher=Space News|access-date=January 13, 2023}}</ref>

In April 2015, Blue Origin announced that they had completed acceptance testing of the BE-3PM engine that would power the New Shepard launch vehicle. The company also announced that they intended to begin flight testing of the New Shepard later in 2015, with initial flights occurring as frequently as monthly, with "a series of dozens of flights over the extent of the sub-orbital test program [taking] a couple of years to complete".<ref name="tsr20150413">{{cite news|title=Blue Origin's suborbital plans are finally ready for flight |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2729/1 |last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|access-date=April 18, 2015|date=April 13, 2015|quote=''We've recently completed acceptance testing, meaning we've accepted the engine for suborbital flight on our New Shepard vehicle, [the end of a] very, very long development program [of] 450 test firings of the engine and a cumulative run time of more than 500 minutes. The completion of those tests sets the stage for Blue Origin to begin test flights of the vehicle later this year at its facility in West Texas [where they] expect a series of flight tests with this vehicle ... flying in autonomous mode... We expect a series of dozens of flights over the extent of the test program [taking] a couple of years to complete.''}}</ref> The same month, the FAA announced that the regulatory paperwork for the test program had already been filed and approved, and test flights were expected to begin before mid-May 2015.<ref name="sn20150421">{{cite news|last1=Foust|first1=Jeff|title=Blue Origin To Begin Test Flights Within Weeks|url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-begin-test-flights-within-weeks/|access-date=April 22, 2015|publisher=Space news|date=April 21, 2015}}</ref> By February 2016, three New Shepard vehicles had been built. The first was lost in a test in April 2015, the second had flown twice (see below), and the third was completing manufacture at the Blue Origin factory in Kent, Washington, United States. In 2016, the Blue Origin team were awarded the Collier Trophy for demonstrating rocket reusability with the New Shepard human spaceflight vehicle.<ref name="NAA-BlueOriginNewShepard2016CollierTrophy">{{cite news|last1=Berry|first1=Stephanie|title=Blue Origin New Shepard to Receive the 2016 Robert J. Collier Trophy |url=https://naa.aero/userfiles/files/documents/Press%20Releases/Collier%20Trophy%202016.pdf |access-date=March 29, 2017|publisher=NAA |date=March 29, 2017}}</ref>

On July 20, 2021, the company successfully completed its first crewed mission, Blue Origin NS-16, into space using its New Shepard launch vehicle, carrying passengers Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen. The flight was approximately 10 minutes and crossed the Kármán line. New Shepard performed six crewed flights between July 2021 and August 2022, taking a mix of sponsored celebrities such as Wally Funk, William Shatner as well as paying customers. New Shepard ticket sales brought in $50 million through June 2022. The second and third crewed missions of New Shepard took place in October and December 2021. The fourth crewed flight happened in March 2022. On June 4, 2022, New Shepard completed its fifth crewed mission launch and the sixth crewed flight took place on August 4, 2022. In September 2022, an uncrewed mission of the New Shepard had an anomaly due to a failure of the BE-3PM main engine. The launch escape system triggered and the capsule landed safely. The remaining New Shepard launch vehicles were grounded pending an FAA investigation into the incident. After a six-month investigation, Blue Origin pinpointed the cause of the anomaly as a thermal-structure failure of the BE-3PM engine nozzle caused a thrust misalignment that triggered the capsule's emergency escape system to activate. Blue Origin said in its press release that New Shepard flights would resume as soon as possible.

As of June 2022, the company had generated more than $100M from the New Shepard space tourism program.<ref name="observer">{{cite web | url=https://observer.com/2022/06/blue-origin-space-tourism-pricing-marketing/ | title=What You Pay for Blue Origin's Spaceflight Depends on Who You Are | website=The New York Observer | date=June 23, 2022 }}</ref>

The return to flight mission happened on December 19, 2023.

On February 4, 2025, an uncrewed New Shepard rocket was launched. The NS-29 mission was intended to launch about 30 moon-related technologies.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Tariq |last=Malik |date=January 27, 2025 |title=What time is Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket 'moon gravity' launch today? Here's how to watch live |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/blue-origin-new-shepard-moon-gravity-rocket-launch-time-livestream |access-date=January 28, 2025 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref>

On April 14, 2025, Blue Origin completed a successful sub-orbital crewed mission of six women aboard its Blue Origin NS-31 as part of the New Shepard Program. Passengers included Gayle King, Katy Perry, Amanda Nguyen, Aisha Bowe, Lauren Sanchez, and Kerianne Flynn. The flight reached a peak altitude of 106 km and lasted 10 minutes and 21 seconds.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Shepard Mission NS-31. |url=http://www.blueorigin.com/missions/ns-31| access-date=April 14, 2025 |website=blueorigin.com |language=en}}</ref>

==New Shepard vehicles == thumb|246x246px|The New Shepard Crew Capsule after a successful sub-orbital space flight.

=== New Shepard propulsion modules === {{as of|2024}}, there have been five propulsion modules built. They are NS1, NS2, NS3, NS4, and NS5. At the time of the program being paused in 2026, there were four new propulsion modules under construction (NS6, NS7, NS8, and NS9), three of which were expected to fly in 2026.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=Here's why Blue Origin just ended its suborbital space tourism program |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/heres-why-blue-origin-just-ended-its-suborbital-space-tourism-program/ |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=Ars Technica |date=30 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-increase-new-shepard-flight-rate-and-consider-new-spaceports/ |access-date=23 April 2026}}</ref>

==== New Shepard 1 ==== {{anchor|NS1|New Shepard 1|New Shepard NS1|Tail 1|New Shepard Tail 1}}The first flight of the full-scale New Shepard vehicle was NS1,<ref name="ars20160309">{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Berger (meteorologist) |date=March 9, 2016 |title=Behind the curtain: Ars goes inside Blue Origin's secretive rocket factory |publisher=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/behind-the-curtain-ars-goes-inside-bl01ue-origins-secretive-rocket-factory/ |access-date=March 9, 2016}}</ref> also called "Tail 1"<ref name="OS-20220912-yybpgry23vgntid6y3di4n5f2e">{{cite news |author=Richard Tribou |date=September 12, 2022 |title=FAA grounds Blue Origin New Shepard after emergency abort during launch |newspaper=Orlando Sentinel |url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/space/os-bz-blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-23-launch-20220912-yybpgry23vgntid6y3di4n5f2e-story.html}}</ref> and was conducted on April 29, 2015, during which an altitude of {{cvt|93.5|km}} was attained. While the test flight itself was deemed a success, and the capsule was successfully recovered via parachute landing, the rocket crash landed and was not recovered due to a failure of hydraulic pressure in the vehicle control system during descent.<ref name="bo20150429">{{cite news |last1=Bezos |first1=Jeff |date=April 27, 2015 |title=First Developmental Test Flight of New Shepard |publisher=Blue Origin |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/press_release/blue-origin-completes-acceptance-testing-of-be-3-engine-for-new-shepard-sub/ |url-status=dead |access-date=April 27, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150430154042/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/press_release/blue-origin-completes-acceptance-testing-of-be-3-engine-for-new-shepard-sub |archive-date=April 30, 2015}}</ref><ref name="sn20150439">{{cite news |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |date=April 30, 2015 |title=Blue Origin's New Shepard Vehicle Makes First Test Flight |publisher=Space News |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origins-new-shepard-vehicle-makes-first-test-flight/ |access-date=May 1, 2015}}</ref> The capsule was called RSS ''Jules Verne''.<ref name="BlueOrigin-990808204320878592">{{Cite tweet|number=990808204320878592|user=BlueOrigin|title=The previous crew capsule was named "RSS Jules Verne" and "RSS" stands for "Reusable Space Ship". Thanks for asking!|date=April 30, 2018}}</ref>

==== New Shepard 2 ==== {{anchor|NS2|New Shepard 2|New Shepard NS2|Tail 2|New Shepard Tail 2}}The New Shepard 2 (NS2), also called "Tail 2",<ref name="OS-20220912-yybpgry23vgntid6y3di4n5f2e" /> flight test article propulsion module made five successful flights in 2015 and 2016, being retired after its fifth flight in October 2016.

==== New Shepard 3 ==== {{anchor|NS3|New Shepard 3|New Shepard NS3|Tail 3|New Shepard Tail 3}}New Shepard 3 (NS3), also called "Tail 3",<ref name="OS-20220912-yybpgry23vgntid6y3di4n5f2e" /> along with capsule RSS ''H. G. Wells'',<ref name="Marcia Dunn-2018">{{cite web|url=https://apnews.com/1304ed77d0bb4e5c995a8b75a8d52499|title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches spacecraft higher than ever|author=Marcia Dunn |date=July 19, 2018|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=July 19, 2018}}</ref> was modified for increased reusability and improved thermal protection; it included a redesigned propulsion module and the inclusion of new access panels for more rapid servicing and improved thermal protection. ''NS3'' was the third propulsion module built. It was completed and shipped to the launch site by September 2017,<ref name="sn20170912"> [http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-enlarges-new-glenns-payload-fairing-preparing-to-debut-upgraded-new-shepard/ Blue Origin enlarges New Glenn’s payload fairing, preparing to debut upgraded New Shepard], Caleb Henry, SpaceNews, accessed September 15, 2017.</ref> although parts of it had been built as early as March 2016.<ref name="ars20160309" /> Flight tests began in 2017 and continued into 2019.<ref name="sn20180419">{{cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=April 19, 2018 |title=Blue Origin expects BE-4 qualification tests to be done by year's end |publisher=SpaceNews |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-expects-be-4-qualification-tests-to-be-done-by-years-end/ |access-date=April 21, 2018}}</ref> The new Crew Capsule 2.0, featuring windows, was integrated to the NS3.<ref name="sn20170912" /> NS3 was only ever used to fly cargo; no passengers were carried (as was originally planned for NS3).<ref name="blue20181217">[https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1074759932795281408 first time we've had two rockets in the barn in West Texas], Blue Origin, December 17, 2018, accessed December 26, 2018.</ref>

Its initial flight test occurred on December 12, 2017.<ref name="gw20171213"> {{cite web |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/blue-origin-launches-updated-version-new-shepard-suborbital-spaceship-test-flight/ |title=Jeff Bezos says Blue Origin gives test dummy 'a great ride' on New Shepard suborbital spaceship |date=December 13, 2017 |work=GeekWire |access-date=December 23, 2017}}</ref> This was the first flight flown under the regulatory regime of a launch license granted by the FAA. Previous test flights had flown under an experimental permit, which did not allow Blue Origin to carry cargo for which it was paid for commercially. This made the flight of NS3 the first revenue flight for payloads, and it carried 12 experiments on the flight, as well as a test dummy given the moniker "Mannequin Skywalker".<ref name="sn20171219">{{cite news |last=Foust|first=Jeff |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-a-year-away-from-crewed-new-shepard-flights/ |title=Blue Origin a year away from crewed New Shepard flights |work=SpaceNews |date=December 19, 2017 |access-date=January 22, 2018 }}</ref>

Since the maiden flight, "Blue Origin has been making updates to the vehicle ... intended primarily to improve operability rather than performance or reliability. Those upgrades took longer than expected" leading to a several-month gap in test flights.<ref name=sn20180419/> The second test flight took place on April 29, 2018.<ref name="flight8">{{cite web|last=Clark|first=Stephen|title=Video: Blue Origin flies New Shepard rocket for eighth time|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/29/video-blue-origin-flies-new-shepard-rocket-for-eighth-time/|date=April 29, 2018|website=Spaceflight Now}}</ref> The 10th overall New Shepard flight, and the fourth NS3 flight, had originally been planned for December 2018, but was delayed due to "ground infrastructure issues". Following a diagnostics of the initial issue, Blue Origin rescheduled the launch for early 2019, after discovering "additional systems" that needed repairs as well.<ref name=sdc20181220>{{cite web |url=https://www.space.com/42807-blue-origin-new-shepard-launch-delayed-to-2019.html |title=Blue Origin Delays Next New Shepard Launch to Early 2019 |last=Bartels|first=Meghan |date=December 20, 2019 |work=Space.com |access-date=January 26, 2019 }}</ref> The flight launched on January 23, 2019, and successfully flew to space with a maximum altitude of {{cvt|106.9|km|mi}}.<ref name=ars20190123>[https://arstechnica.com/science/2019/01/new-shepard-makes-10th-launch-as-blue-origin-aims-to-fly-humans-late-in-2019/ New Shepard makes 10th launch as Blue Origin aims to fly humans late in 2019]. Eric Berger, ''Ars Technica''. January 23, 2019, accessed January 26, 2019.</ref> It has been used to test SPLICE ("Safe and Precise Landing – Integrated Capabilities Evolution"), a NASA lunar landing technology demonstration, on two separate flights in October 2020 (NS-13) and August 2021 (NS-17).<ref>{{Cite web |last=Newton |first=Laura |date=August 24, 2021 |title=NASA Technologies Slated for Testing on Blue Origin's New Shepard |url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/armstrong/features/nasa-tech-testing-on-blue-origin-shepard.html |access-date=August 26, 2021 |website=NASA }}</ref>

New Shepard 3 rocket was destroyed during the NS-23 mission once it impacted the ground on September 12, 2022, after a rocket engine anomaly led to the activation of the in-flight abort system. The capsule made a successful landing under parachutes.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/09/new-shepard-ns-23/ |title=New Shepard suffers in-flight abort on uncrewed NS-23 mission |date=September 12, 2022 |access-date=May 16, 2023 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}}</ref> This was the ninth flight of NS3, and the flight was not carrying any people on board.<ref name=sn20220912/><ref name="bluefailtweet">{{Cite tweet |user=blueorigin |url=https://twitter.com/blueorigin/status/1569389844316721152 |title=During today's flight, the capsule escape system successfully separated|access-date=November 1, 2022|number=1569389844316721152|website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref>

==== New Shepard 4 ==== {{anchor|NS4|New Shepard 4|New Shepard NS4|Tail 4|New Shepard Tail 4}}New Shepard 4 (NS4), also called "Tail 4",<ref name="OS-20220912-yybpgry23vgntid6y3di4n5f2e" /> which flies with capsule RSS ''First Step'', was the fourth propulsion module to be built and the first to carry human passengers. Bezos himself was a passenger.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Jackie Wattles|title=Jeff Bezos is going to space|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/06/07/tech/jeff-bezos-space-blue-origin-new-shepard-flight-scn/index.html|access-date=June 7, 2021|website=CNN|date=June 7, 2021 }}</ref> The vehicle was manufactured in 2018 and moved to the Blue Origin West Texas launch facility in December 2019.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Wall |first1=Mike |title=Blue Origin Probably Won't Launch People to Space This Year |url=https://www.space.com/blue-origin-fly-people-2020.html |access-date=January 18, 2021 |agency=space.com |date=October 4, 2019}}</ref> The uncrewed maiden launch of NS4 occurred on January 14, 2021.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Burghardt |first1=Thomas |title=Blue Origin tests New Shepard capsule upgrades on NS-14 mission |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/01/blue-origin-test-upgrades-ns-14/ |access-date=January 18, 2021 |agency=NASAspaceflight.com |date=January 14, 2021}}</ref> NS4 was successfully launched on July 20, 2021, with four passengers; Jeff Bezos was aboard this maiden crewed flight. On October 13, 2021, NS4 successfully launched and landed, carrying four passengers, including notable passenger William Shatner.<ref name="NYT 2021.10.13 - Shatner successfully completes space trip">{{cite news |title=William Shatner Completes Trip to Space Aboard Blue Origin Rocket |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/10/13/science/blue-origin-william-shatner |access-date=October 13, 2021 |work=The New York Times |date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> On December 11, 2021, Blue Origin NS-19 successfully launched into space. This was the first time New Shepard carried six passengers, the full design passenger complement. In October 2024, National Air and Space Museum announced that Blue Origin will donate NS4 in future to be displayed in the museum.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/historic-new-shepard-rocket-booster-and-crew-capsule-will-go-on-display-at-the-air-and-space-museum-180985265/ | title=Historic New Shepard Rocket Booster and Crew Capsule Will Go on Display at the Air and Space Museum }}</ref>

==== New Shepard 5 ==== {{anchor|NS5|New Shepard 5|New Shepard NS5|Tail 5|New Shepard Tail 5}}New Shepard 5 (NS5), which flies with capsule RSS ''Kármán Line'', is Blue Origin's second crew-rated propulsion module. Manufactured to meet growing demand for New Shepard flights, it debuted on the NS-27 uncrewed flight, which flew on October 23, 2024, following aborted launch attempts on October 7, 2024, and October 13, 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Stimac |first1=Valerie |title=Blue Origin Completes 27th Mission With New Human-Rated Vehicle |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/valeriestimac/2024/10/23/blue-origin-completes-27th-mission-with-new-human-rated-vehicle/ |website=Forbes |access-date=October 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Sharp |first=John |date=October 8, 2024 |title=Launch Roundup: Starship to fly? Europa Clipper - Hurricane delays, Falcon 9s on hold |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/10/launch-roundup-100824/ |access-date=October 9, 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== New Shepard capsules === {{as of|2025}}, four New Shepard capsules have been constructed. They are {{ship|RSS|Jules Verne}}, {{ship|RSS|H. G. Wells}}, {{ship|RSS|First Step}}, and {{ship|RSS|Kármán Line}}. {{ship|RSS|H. G. Wells}} was retired from service after its twelfth flight. At the time of the program being paused in 2026, there were two new unnamed capsules under construction.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=Here's why Blue Origin just ended its suborbital space tourism program |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/01/heres-why-blue-origin-just-ended-its-suborbital-space-tourism-program/ |access-date=23 April 2026 |work=Ars Technica |date=30 January 2026 |language=en}}</ref>

=== Boosters destroyed, retired and active === {{sticky header}} {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible sticky-header" style="font-size:1.00em; line-height:1.5em; text-align:center; width: 100%;" ! {{abbr|S/N|Serial number}} ! Launches ! Launch date (UTC)<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/new-shepard_history.htm |title=New Shepard Flight History |website=Gunter's Space Page|access-date=August 7, 2025}}</ref> ! Turnaround time ! Mission ! Launch ! Landing ! Status

|- id="NS1" | rowspan=1 | NS1 | rowspan=1 | 1 | {{dts|29 April 2015}} | {{n/a}} | Blue Origin NS-1 | {{Success}} | {{Failure}} | Destroyed

|- id="NS2" | rowspan=5 | NS2 | rowspan=5 | 5 | {{dts|23 November 2015}} | {{n/a}} | Blue Origin NS-2 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} | rowspan=5 | Retired |- | {{dts|22 January 2016}} | {{time interval|23 November 2015|22 January 2016|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-3 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|2 April 2016}} | {{time interval|22 January 2016|2 April 2016|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-4 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|19 June 2016}} | {{time interval|2 April 2016|19 June 2016|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-5 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|5 October 2016}} | {{time interval|19 June 2016|5 October 2016|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-6 | {{Success}} | {{Success}}

|- id="NS3" | rowspan=9 | NS3 | rowspan=9 | 9 | {{dts|12 December 2017}} | {{n/a}} | Blue Origin NS-7 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} | rowspan=9 | Destroyed |- | {{dts|29 April 2018}} | {{time interval|12 December 2017|29 April 2018|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-8 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|18 July 2018}} | {{time interval|29 April 2018|18 July 2018|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-9 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|23 January 2019}} | {{time interval|18 July 2018|23 January 2019|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-10 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|2 May 2019}} | {{time interval|23 January 2019|2 May 2019|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-11 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|11 December 2019}} | {{time interval|2 May 2019|11 December 2019|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-12 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|13 October 2020}} | {{time interval|11 December 2019|13 October 2020|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-13 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|26 August 2021}} | {{time interval|13 October 2020|26 August 2021|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-17 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|12 September 2022}} | {{time interval|26 August 2021|12 September 2022|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-23 | {{Failure}} | {{Failure}}

|- id="NS4" | rowspan="17" | NS4 | rowspan="17" | 17 | {{dts|14 January 2021}} | {{n/a}} | Blue Origin NS-14 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} | rowspan="17" | Active |- | {{dts|14 April 2021}} | {{time interval|14 January 2021|14 April 2021|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-15 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|20 July 2021}} | {{time interval|14 April 2021|20 July 2021|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-16 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|13 October 2021}} | {{time interval|20 July 2021|13 October 2021|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-18 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|11 December 2021}} | {{time interval|13 October 2021|11 December 2021|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-19 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|31 March 2022}} | {{time interval|11 December 2021|31 March 2022|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-20 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|4 June 2022}} | {{time interval|31 March 2022|4 June 2022|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-21 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|4 August 2022}} | {{time interval|4 June 2022|4 August 2022|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-22 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|19 December 2023}} | {{time interval|4 August 2022|19 December 2023|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-24 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|19 May 2024}} | {{time interval|19 December 2023|19 May 2024|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-25 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|29 August 2024}} | {{time interval|19 May 2024|29 August 2024|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-26 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|22 November 2024}} | {{time interval|29 August 2024|22 November 2024|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-28 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|25 February 2025}} | {{time interval|22 November 2024|25 February 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-30 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|31 May 2025}} | {{time interval|25 February 2025|31 May 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-32 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|3 August 2025}} | {{time interval|31 May 2025|3 August 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-34 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|8 October 2025}} | {{time interval|3 August 2025|8 October 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-36 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|22 January 2026}} | {{time interval|8 October 2025|22 January 2026|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-38 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- id="NS5" | rowspan="6" | NS5 | rowspan="6" | 6 | {{dts|23 October 2024}} | {{n/a}} | Blue Origin NS-27 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} | rowspan="6" | Active |- | {{dts|4 February 2025}} | {{time interval|23 October 2024|4 February 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-29 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|14 April 2025}} | {{time interval|4 February 2025|14 April 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-31 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|29 June 2025}} | {{time interval|14 April 2025|29 June 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-33 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- | {{dts|18 September 2025}} | {{time interval|29 June 2025|18 September 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} | Blue Origin NS-35 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |- |{{dts|20 December 2025}} |{{time interval|18 September 2025|20 December 2025|sortable=on|show=d}} |Blue Origin NS-37 | {{Success}} | {{Success}} |}

== Flight statistics == {{columns-start}}

=== Launch payload === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 450 | height = 320 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 2:4:1:2:3: 1:3:1:1:1: 2:0  | group 2 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:3:3:0:3: 7:1  | colors = Goldenrod : Chocolate | group names = Uncrewed : Crewed | x legends = 2015 ::::: 2020 ::::: 2025 : }}

=== Capsule used === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 450 | height = 320 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 2:4:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0  | group 2 = 0:0:1:2:3: 1:1:1:1:0: 2:0  | group 3 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:5:3:0:3: 4:1  | group 4 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:1: 3:0  | colors = LightSteelBlue : MediumBlue : Teal : Gold | group names = RSS ''Jules Verne'' : RSS ''H. G. Wells'' : RSS ''First Step'' : RSS ''Kármán Line'' | units suffix = _launches | x legends = 2015 ::::: 2020 ::::: 2025 : }}

=== Launch outcomes === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 450 | height = 320 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:1:0:0: 0:0  | group 2 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0  | group 3 = 2:4:1:2:3: 1:6:3:1:4: 9:1  | group 4 = 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0:0:0:0: 0:0  | colors = FireBrick : Orange : ForestGreen : LightBlue | group names = Failure : Partial failure : Success : Scheduled | units suffix = _launches | x legends = 2015 ::::: 2020 ::::: 2025 : }}

=== Landing outcomes === {{#invoke:Chart | bar chart | float = center | width = 450 | height = 320 | stack = 1 | group 1 = 1:0:0:0:0: 0:0:1:0:0: 0:0  | group 2 = 1:4:1:2:3: 1:6:3:1:4: 9:1  | colors = FireBrick : ForestGreen | group names = Failure : Success | units suffix = _landings | x legends = 2015 ::::: 2020 ::::: 2025 : }}

=== Flight list === {| class="wikitable sortable mw-collapsible" |- ! scope="col" | Launch No. ! scope="col" | Date ! scope="col" | Vehicle ! scope="col" | Apogee ! scope="col" | Passengers ! scope="col" | Outcome ! scope="col" | Notes |- ! 0 | {{date table sorting|October 19, 2012}} | {{ubl|{{tooltip|N/A|No propulsion module}}|RSS ''Jules Verne''}} | 0.7 km (0.4369 mi) | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Pad abort test of the New Shepard capsule. |- ! 1 | {{date table sorting|April 29, 2015}} | {{ubl|NS1|{{nowrap|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }}}} | {{cvt|93.5|km}} | {{N/A}} | {{partial success}} | Capsule recovered, rocket crashed on landing. Blue Origin deemed mission successful.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Harwood|first1=Bill|title=Bezos' Blue Origin completes first test flight of "New Shepard" spacecraft|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/30/bezos-blue-origin-completes-first-test-flight-of-new-shepard-spacecraft/|access-date=May 11, 2015|publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=April 30, 2015}}</ref> |- ! 2 | {{date table sorting|November 23, 2015}} 17:21 | {{ubl|NS2.1|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }} | {{cvt|329839|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|last1=Amos|first1=Jonathan|author-link1=Jonathan Amos|title=New Shepard: Bezos claims success on second spaceship flight|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-34909713|access-date=November 26, 2015|publisher=BBC News|date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Pasztor|first1=Andy|title=Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin Succeeds in Landing Spent Rocket Back on Earth|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/blue-origin-succeeds-in-vertically-landing-spent-rocket-back-at-texas-launch-site-1448372666|access-date=November 24, 2015|work=The Wall Street Journal|date=November 24, 2015}}</ref> |- ! 3 | {{date table sorting|January 22, 2016}} | {{ubl|NS2.2|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }} | {{cvt|333582|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name="sn20160123b">{{cite news |last=Berger|first=Brian |url=http://spacenews.com/launch-land-repeat-blue-origin-posts-video-of-new-shepards-friday-flight/ |title=Launch. Land. Repeat: Blue Origin posts video of New Shepard's Friday flight |work=SpaceNews |date=January 23, 2016 |access-date=January 24, 2016 }}</ref> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket.<ref>{{cite web|title=Launch Land Repeat|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blog/launch-land-repeat|access-date=January 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160124032206/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blog/launch-land-repeat|archive-date=January 24, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> |- ! 4 | {{date table sorting|April 2, 2016}} 15:18 | {{ubl|NS2.3|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }} | {{cvt|339178|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cofield |first=Calla |date=April 4, 2016 |title=Launch Land Repeat Blue Origin's Amazing Rocket Liftoff and Landing in Pictures |url=https://www.space.com/32457-blue-origin-third-rocket-landing-pictures.html |access-date=March 24, 2020 |website=space.com}}</ref> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket.<ref name="techcrunch20160402">{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/02/blue-origin-launches-and-lands-the-same-rocket-for-a-third-time/ |title=Blue Origin launches and lands the same rocket for a third time|first=Emily|last=Calandrelli|date=April 2, 2016|access-date=April 3, 2016}}</ref> |- ! 5 | {{date table sorting|June 19, 2016}} 14:36 | {{ubl|NS2.4|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }} | {{cvt|331501|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name="geekwire201606"/> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket: the fourth launch and landing of the same rocket. Blue Origin published a live webcast of the takeoff and landing.<ref name="geekwire201606">{{cite web |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-space-launch/|title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin live-streams its spaceship's risky test flight|first=Alan|last=Boyle|publisher=GeekWire|date=June 19, 2016 |access-date=June 21, 2016}}</ref> |- ! 6 | {{date table sorting|October 5, 2016}} 15:36 | {{ubl|NS2.5|RSS ''Jules Verne'' }} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{Cvt|307458|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|23269|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-in-flight-escape-test|title=New Shepard In-flight Escape Test|publisher=Blue Origin|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket. Successful test of the in-flight abort system. The fifth and final launch and landing of the same rocket (NS2).<ref name="sn20161005">{{cite news|last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-successfully-tests-new-shepard-abort-system/|title=Blue Origin successfully tests New Shepard abort system|date=October 5, 2016|work=SpaceNews|access-date=October 5, 2016}}</ref> |- ! 7 | {{date table sorting|December 12, 2017}} 16:59 | {{ubl|NS3.1|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|322032|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|322405|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/crew-capsule-2-0-first-flight|title=Crew Capsule 2.0 First Flight|publisher=Blue Origin|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Flight to just under 100 km and landing. The first launch of NS3 and a new Crew Capsule 2.0.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-flies-next-generation-new-shepard-vehicle/|title=Blue Origin flies next-generation New Shepard vehicle|date=December 13, 2017|publisher=SpaceNews.com|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> |- ! 8 | {{date table sorting|April 29, 2018}} 17:06 | {{ubl|NS3.2|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{cvt|351000|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/apogee-351-000-feet|title=Apogee 351,000 Feet|publisher=Blue Origin|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket.<ref name="flight8"/> |- ! 9 | {{date table sorting|July 18, 2018}} 15:11 | {{ubl|NS3.3|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{cvt|389846|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name="Marcia Dunn-2018"/> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital spaceflight and landing of a reused rocket, with capsule carrying a mannequin. Successful test of the in-flight abort system at high altitude. Flight duration was 11 minutes.<ref name="Marcia Dunn-2018"/> |- ! 10 | {{date table sorting|January 23, 2019}} 14:05 | {{ubl|NS3.4|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | c. {{cvt|106.9|km}}<ref name="ars20190123"/> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital flight, delayed from December 18, 2018. Eight NASA research and technology payloads were flown.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/01/19/blue-origin-aims-to-launch-delayed-new-shepard-flight-monday/|title=Blue Origin reschedules New Shepard launch for Wednesday|last=Clark|first=Stephen|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=January 23, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Origin New Shepard: Mission 10 (Q1 2019) – collectSPACE: Messages |url=http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum35/HTML/000903.html |access-date=January 23, 2019 |website=www.collectspace.com}}</ref> |- ! 11 | {{date table sorting|May 2, 2019}} 13:34 | {{ubl|NS3.5|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | c. {{cvt|346000|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name=":11"/> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital flight. Maximum Ascent Velocity: {{cvt|2217|mph|km/h|order=flip}},<ref name=":11">{{cite web|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/05/02/blue-origin-one-step-closer-to-human-flights-after-successful-suborbital-launch/|title=Blue Origin "one step closer" to human flights after successful suborbital launch|last=Clark|first=Stephen|publisher=Spaceflight Now|access-date=May 9, 2019}}</ref> duration: 10 minutes, 10 seconds. Payload: 38 microgravity research payloads (nine sponsored by NASA). |- ! 12 | {{date table sorting|December 11, 2019}} 17:53 | {{ubl|NS3.6|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | c. {{cvt|104.5|km}}<ref name="SpaceNews.com-2019"/> | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Sub-orbital flight, Payload: Multiple commercial, research (8 sponsored by NASA) and educational payloads, including postcards from Club for the Future.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/blue-origin-gets-set-send-thousands-postcards-space-back-test-flight/|title=Watch Blue Origin send thousands of postcards to space and back on test flight|last=Boyle |first=Alan|date=December 8, 2019|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=New Shepard Mission NS-12 Updates|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-mission-ns-12-updates|publisher=Blue Origin|access-date=December 10, 2019}}</ref> The sixth launch and landing of the same rocket.<ref name="SpaceNews.com-2019">{{cite web|url=https://spacenews.com/new-shepard-sets-reusability-mark-on-latest-suborbital-spaceflight/|title=New Shepard sets reusability mark on latest suborbital spaceflight|date=December 11, 2019|publisher=SpaceNews.com|access-date=March 24, 2020}}</ref> |- ! 13 | {{date table sorting|October 13, 2020}} 13:37 | {{ubl|NS3.7|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | c. {{cvt|351200|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | 7th flight of the same capsule/rocket. Onboard 12 payloads include Space Lab Technologies, Southwest Research Institute, postcards and seeds for Club for the Future, and multiple payloads for NASA including SPLICE to test future lunar landing technologies in support of the Artemis program.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Sheetz|first=Michael|date=October 13, 2020|title=Blue Origin launches and lands the 13th test flight of its space tourism rocket New Shepard|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-flying-new-shepard-rocket-on-flight-ns-13.html|access-date=August 26, 2021|website=CNBC|language=en}}</ref> |- ! 14 | {{date table sorting|January 14, 2021}} 16:57<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=103369|title=OET Special Temporary Authority Report|website=apps.fcc.gov}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.1|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350858|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351215|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Qualification flight for NS4 rocket and capsule and maiden flight for NS4 |- ! 15 | {{date table sorting|April 14, 2021}} 16:51<ref>{{Cite web|access-date=April 1, 2021|title=NS-15 (Suborbital)|url=https://www.rocketlaunch.live/launch/ns-15-suborbital|website=RocketLaunch.live|language=en}}</ref><ref name="crewed2">{{cite web |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/14/watch-jeff-bezos-blue-origin-launch-new-shepard-ns-15-livestream.html |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches and lands rocket New Shepard, as it prepares to launch people |website=CNBC |date=April 14, 2021}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.2|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350840|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351221|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Second flight of NS4, first preflight human passenger process test where Blue Origin conducted an "Astronaut Rehearsal". Gary Lai, Susan Knapp, Clay Mowry, and Audrey Powers, all Blue Origin personnel, were "stand-in astronauts". Lai and Powers briefly entered the capsule during the test.<ref name="spo_1">{{Cite web|last=Smith|first=Marcia|date=January 14, 2021|title=Dress Rehearsal Puts Blue Origin Closer to Human Spaceflight|url=https://spacepolicyonline.com/news/dress-rehearsal-puts-blue-origin-closer-to-human-spaceflight/|access-date=April 15, 2021|website=spacepolicyonline.com|language=en}}</ref> |- ! 16 | {{date table sorting|July 20, 2021}} 13:12<ref name=BO1seatbid>{{Cite web|access-date=May 5, 2021|title=Bid for the very first seat on New Shepard|url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/bid-for-the-very-first-seat-on-new-shepard |website=blueorigin.com|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=WATCH LIVE: First Human Flight (NS-16, Suborbital) Mission (New Shepard) – RocketLaunch.Live |url=https://www.rocketlaunch.live/launch/new-shepard-crewed-1 |access-date=July 20, 2021 |website=www.rocketlaunch.live}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.3|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|347188|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351210|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Jeff Bezos<ref>{{cite instagram|user=jeffbezos|last=Bezos|first=Jeff|author-link=Jeff Bezos|postid=CP0MSOqnYEo|title=Ever since I was five years old, I've dreamed of traveling to space. On July 20th, I will take that journey with my brother. The greatest adventure, with my best friend. #GradatimFerociter|date=June 7, 2021}}</ref> | Mark Bezos | Wally Funk<ref name="bot010721">{{Cite tweet|user=blueorigin|author-link=Blue Origin|number=1410587533105262593|title=Welcome aboard, Wally. Here's the moment Jeff Bezos asked Wally Funk to join our first human flight on July 20 as our honored guest.|date=July 1, 2021|access-date=July 1, 2021|website=Twitter|language=en}}</ref> | Oliver Daemen }} | {{Success}} | First flight of New Shepard with passengers.<ref name=wsj20210612>{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/winning-ticket-to-join-jeff-bezos-in-space-costs-nearly-30-million-in-blue-origin-auction-11623519316 |title=Winning Ticket to Join Jeff Bezos in Space Costs Nearly $30 Million in Blue Origin Auction |date=June 12, 2021 |publisher=Wall Street Journal}}</ref> |- ! 17 | {{date table sorting|August 25, 2021}} 14:31<ref>{{cite tweet |author=Blue Origin |user=blueorigin |number=1430903439064584207 |title=Capsule, touchdown! A wholly successful payload mission for New Shepard. A huge congrats to the entire Blue Origin team on another successful flight. |date=August 26, 2021}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS3.8|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|347032|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|347434|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} |Payload mission consisting of 18 commercial payloads inside the capsule, a NASA lunar landing technology demonstration installed on the exterior of the rocket and an art installation installed on the exterior of the capsule.<ref>{{cite web|title=New Shepard Payload Mission NS-17 to Fly NASA Lunar Landing Experiment and Art Installation|url= https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-mission-ns-17-launch-updates|publisher=Blue Origin|access-date=August 18, 2021}}</ref> |- ! 18 | {{date table sorting|October 13, 2021}} 14:49<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-18-mission-updates |title=Blue Origin successfully and safely completes second human flight to space and back |work=Blue Origin |date=October 13, 2021 |access-date=October 13, 2021}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.4|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350807|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351186|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Chris Boshuizen | Glen de Vries | William Shatner | Audrey Powers }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 19 | {{date table sorting|December 11, 2021}} 10:50 | {{ubl|NS4.5|RSS ''First Step''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350851|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351225|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Lane Bess | Cameron Bess | Evan Dick | Laura Shepard Churchley | Michael Strahan | Dylan Taylor }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 20 | {{date table sorting|March 31, 2022}} 13:57<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin launches first New Shepard space crew of 2022 |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/03/31/watch-live-jeff-bezos-blue-origin-launch-new-shepard-ns-20-crew-to-space.html |access-date=March 31, 2022 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.6|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350932|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351276|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Marty Allen | Sharon Hagle | Marc Hagle | Jim Kitchen | George Nield | Gary Lai }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 21 | {{date table sorting|June 4, 2022}} 13:25<ref>{{cite web |last=Davenport |first=Justin |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/06/ns-21-launch/ |title=Blue Origin launches NS-21 suborbital flight with six passengers |work=NASASpaceFlight |date=June 4, 2022 |access-date=June 4, 2022}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.7|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350830|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351185|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Evan Dick | Katya Echazarreta | Hamish Harding | Victor Correa Hespanha | Jaison Robinson | Victor Vescovo }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 22 | {{date table sorting|August 4, 2022}} 13:56<ref>{{cite web |last=navin |first=Joseph |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/08/ns-22-launch/ |title=New Shepard launches sixth suborbital crewed flight |date=August 4, 2022 |access-date=August 4, 2022 |work=NASASpaceFlight}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.8|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350866|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351232|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{ubli|Coby Cotton | Mário Ferreira | Vanessa O'Brien | Clint Kelly III | Sara Sabry | Steve Young }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 23 | {{date table sorting|September 12, 2022}} 14:27<ref name=sn20220912/> | {{ubl|NS3.9|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{cvt|37401|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref name=sn20220912/> | {{N/A}} | {{Failure}}<ref name=sn20220912/> | Research mission with 36 commercial payloads on board including two on the exterior of the rocket.<ref name="Mike Wall-2022">{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=August 24, 2022 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin to launch next space mission on Aug. 31 |url=https://www.space.com/blue-origin-ns-23-mission-august-31 |access-date=August 24, 2022 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref> The spacecraft's launch escape system activated after the rocket's BE-3 main engine failed around a minute after liftoff leading to a loss of control. The capsule was safely recovered whilst the rocket was lost as it impacted on ground.<ref name="bluefailtweet"/><ref name=sn20220912/> |- ! 24 | {{date table sorting|December 1, 2023}} 16:43<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Shepard {{!}} NS-24 |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7302 |access-date=December 19, 2023 |website=nextspaceflight.com |language=en }}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.9|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350855|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|351248|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} |Successful Return to Flight mission following failure of NS-23 more than a year prior. 33 payloads and 38,000 Club for the Future postcards from students around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Shepard's 24th Mission Will Carry 33 Science Payloads to Space |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-24-mission-announcement |access-date=December 17, 2023 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US}}</ref> |- ! 25 | {{date table sorting|May 19, 2024}} 13:30<ref>{{Cite web |title=New Shepard's 25th Mission Includes America's First Black Astronaut Candidate |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-25-mission-announcement |access-date=April 4, 2024 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US}}</ref> | {{ubl|NS4.10|RSS ''First Step''}} | c. 106 km<ref>{{cite web |first=Jeff |last=Foust |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-resumes-crewed-new-shepard-suborbital-flights/ |title=Blue Origin resumes crewed New Shepard suborbital flights |date= May 19, 2024 }}</ref> | {{ubli|Kenneth Hess | Sylvain Chiron | Mason Angel | Ed Dwight | Carol Schaller | Gopi Thotakura }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 26 | {{date table sorting|August 29, 2024}} 13:07 | {{ubl|NS4.11|RSS ''First Step''}} | Capsule: {{cvt|105.3|km}} | {{ubli|Ephraim Rabin | Nicolina Elrick | Eugene Grin | Rob Ferl | Karsen Kitchen | Eiman Jahangir }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 27 | {{date table sorting|October 23, 2024}} 15:27 | {{ubl|NS5.1|RSS ''Kármán Line''}} | Capsule: {{cvt|101|km}} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | First flight of Propulsion Module NS5 and capsule RSS ''Kármán Line''. 12 payloads and tens of thousands of Club for the Future postcards. |- ! 28 | {{date table sorting|November 22, 2024}} 15:30 | {{ubl|NS4.12|RSS ''First Step''}} | Capsule {{cvt|107.08|km}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=blueorigin |number=1859992538356109644 |date=November 22, 2024 |title=Key stats from today's #NS28 mission:The Crew Capsule reached an apogee of 347,661 ft AGL / 351,308 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL). The booster reached an apogee of 347,312 ft AGL / 350,959 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL). Official launch time was 9:30:00 AM CST / 15:30:00 UTC. Capsule landing occurred at 9:40:14 AM CST / 15:40:14 UTC. The mission elapsed time was 10 min 15 sec.|access-date=November 22, 2024 }}</ref> | {{ubli|Emily Calandrelli | Sharon Hagle | Marc Hagle | Austin Litteral | James "J.D." Russell | Henry Wolfond }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 29 | {{date table sorting|February 4, 2025}} 16:00 | {{ubl|NS5.2|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|345347|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|345591|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |user=blueorigin |number=1886824067396985003|date=February 4, 2025|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard NS-29 mission|access-date=February 4, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{N/A}} | {{Success}} | Research mission on behalf of NASA, simulated lunar gravity by spinning the capsule at 11 rpm using the spacecraft's reaction control system. 30 payloads, 29 internal and one external.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Shepard's 29th Mission Will Fly 30 Payloads, Mimic the Moon's Gravity |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-29-mission |website=Blue Origin |access-date=January 25, 2025}}</ref> |- ! 30 | {{date table sorting|February 25, 2025}} 15:49 | {{ubl|NS4.13|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|349416|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|349051|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1894438967291875490|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-30 mission}}</ref> }} | {{ubli|Lane Bess | Jesús Calleja | Tushar Shah | Richard Scott | Elaine Chia Hyde | Russell Wilson }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 31 | {{date table sorting|April 14, 2025}} 13:30 | {{ubl|NS5.3|RSS ''Kármán Line''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350,128|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|350,449|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1911779926505644371|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-31 mission|date=April 14, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli|Aisha Bowe | Amanda Nguyen | Gayle King | Katy Perry | Kerianne Flynn | Lauren Sánchez }} | {{Success}} | First spaceflight with an all-female crew since Vostok 6 in 1963. |- ! 32 | {{date table sorting|May 31, 2025}} 13:39 | {{ubl|NS4.14|RSS ''First Step''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|343,610|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|343,937|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1928817732293898297|user=rondaz_4|title=MISSION STATS: NS-32|date=May 31, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli|Aymette Medina Jorge | Gretchen Green | Jaime Alemán | Jesse Williams | Mark Rocket | Paul Jeris }} | {{Success}} | |- ! 33 | {{date table sorting|June 29, 2025}} 14:40 | {{ubl|NS5.4|RSS ''Kármán Line''}} | {{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|348,372|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|348,691|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1939342731186155643|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-33 mission|date=June 29, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli| Allie Kuehner | Carl Kuehner | Leland Larson | Freddie Rescigno, Jr. | Owolabi Salis | James Sitkins }} | {{Success}} | |- !34 |{{date table sorting|August 3, 2025}} 12:42 |{{ubl|NS4.15|RSS ''First Step''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350,476|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|350,838|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1952500165270765623|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-34 mission|date=August 5, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli| Arvi Bahal | Gökhan Erdem | Deborah Martorell | Lionel Pitchford | J. D. Russell | Justin Sun }} |{{Success}} | |- !35 |{{date table sorting|September 18, 2025}} 13:00 | {{ubl|NS5.5|RSS ''H. G. Wells''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|345,136|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|345,452|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1968669313604219285|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-35 mission|date=September 18, 2025}}</ref> }} |{{N/A}} |{{Success}} |Uncrewed flight that flew more than 40 scientific and research payloads to space and back. These payloads include 24 experiments from NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge, and payloads for Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, University, College, Teledyne, Space Lab Technologies, and Teachers in Space, among others.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Shepard's 35th Mission Targets Liftoff on Saturday, August 23, Will Fly More Than 40 Payloads to Space |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/pt-BR/news/new-shepard-ns-35-mission |website=Blue Origin |access-date=August 19, 2025}}</ref> Final flight for RSS H. G. Wells. |- !36 |{{date table sorting|October 8, 2025}} 13:40 |{{ubl|NS4.16|RSS ''First Step''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350,073|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|350,438|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1975927200722702622|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-36 mission|date=October 8, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli|Jeff Elgin |Danna Karagussova | Clint Kelly III |Aaron Newman |Vitalii Ostrovsky |William H. Lewis }} |{{Success}} | |- !37 |{{date table sorting|December 20, 2025}} 14:15 |{{ubl|NS5.6|RSS ''Karman Line''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|350,033|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|350,422|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=2002449535772270597|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-37 mission|date=December 20, 2025}}</ref> }} | {{ubli|Michaela Benthaus |Joey Hyde |Hans Koenigsmann |Neal Milch |Adonis Pouroulis |Jason Stansell }} |{{Success}} |First flight to carry a wheelchair user into space, with Benthaus onboard.<ref>{{cite web |title=Blue Origin Announces Crew for New Shepard’s 37th Mission |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-37-mission |publisher=Blue Origin}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/private-spaceflight/blue-origin-ns-37-tourism-launch-first-wheelchair-user-in-space|title=Next Blue Origin tourist launch will fly wheelchair user to space for 1st time|publisher=space.com|date=3 December 2025|access-date=4 December 2025}}</ref> |- !38 |{{date table sorting|January 22, 2026}} 16:25 |{{ubl|NS4.17|RSS ''First Step''}} |{{ubli | Rocket: {{cvt|349,974|ft|km mi|order=out|1}} | Capsule: {{cvt|350,369|ft|km mi|order=out|1}}<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=2014416929944174946|user=blueorigin|title=Key stats from today's New Shepard crewed NS-38 mission|date=January 22, 2026}}</ref> }} |{{ubli|Tim Drexler|Linda Edwards|Alain Fernandez|Alberto Gutiérrez|Jim Hendren|Laura Stiles}} |{{Success}} |Originally planned to fly with Andrew Yaffe onboard, who was replaced by Stiles due to illness.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=2013660901333700836 |user=blueorigin |title=Mission NS-38 Update: One of our crew members is no longer able to fly due to illness; he will join a future mission. Our new sixth crew member will be Dr. Laura Stiles, Blue Origin’s Director of New Shepard Launch Operations. The mission is still slated for Thursday, January 22, from Launch Site One. |author=Blue Origin |date=20 January 2026 |access-date=20 January 2026}}</ref> |}

===Multiple fliers=== ==== Two flights==== * Evan Dick — NS-19 and NS-21 * Lane Bess — NS-19 and NS-30 * Marc Hagle — NS-20 and NS-28 * Sharon Hagle — NS-20 and NS-28 * J. D. Russell — NS-28 and NS-34 * Clint Kelly III — NS-22 and NS-36

== Design == [[File:New Shepard mock up at Oshkosh Airventure 2017.jpg|thumb|Mock-up of the New Shepard capsule at the EAA AirVenture Oshkosh in 2017]] New Shepard is a fully reusable, vertical takeoff, vertical landing (VTVL) space vehicle composed of two principal parts: a pressurized crew capsule and a launch rocket that Blue Origin often calls a booster or propulsion module.<ref name=sn20150439 /> The New Shepard is controlled entirely by on-board computers, without ground control<ref name=tsr20150413 /> or a human pilot.<ref name="gw20160305">{{cite news |last=Boyle|first=Alan |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-lifts-curtain-blue-origin-rocket-factory-vision-space/ |title=Jeff Bezos lifts curtain on Blue Origin rocket factory, lays out grand plan for space travel that spans hundreds of years |work=GeekWire |date=March 5, 2016 |access-date=March 10, 2016 }}</ref>

=== Launch rocket === The launch rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine with thrust vector control, fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE-3: Making History |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/be-3 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> Aft fins stabilize the rocket during ascent, steer it back to the landing pad during descent, and guide it effectively at speeds up to Mach 3. Ring and wedge fins near the top of the rocket provide aerodynamic stability and reduce fuel consumption during descent. Drag brakes are also deployed during descent to increase drag and reduce speed.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |title=New Shepard |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519170537/https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard |archive-date=May 19, 2024 |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> The gimbaling engine nozzle and aft fins work together to steer the rocket, both using hydraulic actuators.<ref>{{Cite web |date=October 7, 2016 |title=New Shepard Space Vehicle Makes Fifth Flight |url=https://jasc-controls.com/new-shepard-space-vehicle-makes-fifth-flight/ |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=JASC}}</ref>

=== Crew capsule === The New Shepard crew capsule is a pressurized crew capsule designed to carry up to six people. It supports a "full-envelope" launch escape system that can separate the capsule from the launch rocket at any point during ascent.<ref>{{cite video |title=The New Shepard Crew Capsule|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GoLD49sQ0|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180725182207/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9GoLD49sQ0|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 25, 2018|author= Blue Origin |access-date= July 25, 2018|website=YouTube}}</ref> The Crew Capsule Escape Solid Rocket Motor (CCE-SRM) is sourced from Aerojet Rocketdyne.<ref name="SpaceRef-2016-10-06">{{cite news |url= http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=49635 |title= Aerojet Rocketdyne Motor Plays Key Role in Successful Blue Origin In-Flight Crew Escape Test |date= October 6, 2016 |publisher= SpaceRef.com |access-date= October 8, 2016 |archive-date= March 27, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230327180910/https://spaceref.com/press-release/aerojet-rocketdyne-motor-plays-key-role-in-successful-blue-origin-in-flight-crew-escape-test/ |url-status= dead }}</ref> The interior volume of the capsule is {{convert|530|ft3|m3|sp=us|order=flip}},<ref name="bo20150501">{{cite web |title=Our Approach to Technology |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/technology |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180110171630/https://www.blueorigin.com/technology |archive-date=January 10, 2018 |access-date=May 1, 2015 |website=Blue Origin |quote=''The system consists of a pressurized capsule atop a booster. The combined vehicles launch vertically, accelerating for approximately two and a half minutes, before the engine cuts off. The capsule then separates from the booster to coast quietly into space. After a few minutes of free fall, the booster performs an autonomously controlled rocket-powered vertical landing, while the capsule lands softly under parachutes, both ready to be used again. Reusability allows us to fly the system again and again. ... The New Shepard capsule’s interior is ... 530 cubic feet{{snd}}offering over 10 times the room Alan Shepard had on his Mercury flight. It seats six astronauts. Three independent parachutes [on the capsule] provide redundancy, while a retro-thrust system further cushions [the] landing. ... Full-envelope escape [system] is built around a solid rocket motor that provides 70,000 lb. of thrust in a two-second burn.''}}</ref> containing 6 windows, 6 reclined seats, and handholds for ease of movement in zero-g.<ref name=":1" /> At the center of the capsule is a cylinder housing the crew escape system.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cofield |first=Calla |date=April 18, 2017 |title=Aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard: My Imaginary Journey to Space |url=https://www.space.com/36449-inside-blue-origin-new-shepard-space-capsule.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Space.com}}</ref> After separation from the launch rocket, three parachutes deploy for a soft landing. In the event of a parachute failure, the capsule can still land safely with one of three parachutes deployed. Before touchdown, a retro-thrust system at the bottom of the capsule expels nitrogen gas to slow the landing to approximately 3.2 km/h (2 mph).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Record of Safety |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/safety |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> Additionally, a crushable ring, 14 centimeters (5.5 inches) high, compresses upon impact on the underside of the capsule and acts as a decelerator to absorb g-forces.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cofield |first=Calla |date=July 21, 2016 |title=Blue Origin's Crew Capsule Aced Parachute-Failure Test, Jeff Bezos Says |url=https://www.space.com/33492-blue-origin-crew-capsule-parachute-failure-test.html |access-date=May 26, 2024 |website=Space.com}}</ref>

== Flight profile == New Shepard is launched {{convert|48|km|mi nmi}} north of Van Horn, Texas, at Launch Site One (LS1), and conducts a powered flight for about 110 seconds, up to an altitude of {{convert|40|km|mi nmi|abbr=on}}.

The rocket and capsule then continue coasting upwards due to their momentum, reaching an apogee just above the Kármán Line at {{convert|100|km|mi nmi ft|abbr=on}}. Near this peak altitude, the crew capsule separates from the rocket. As the rocket nears the ground, its air brakes deploy and the engines restart as onboard computers autonomously bring the rocket for a vertical landing at the landing pad, where it deploys its four landing legs.<ref name="FAA EA">{{cite web |url=http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/20060829_Blue_Origin_EA_FONSI_signed.pdf |title=Department of Transportation Federal Aviation Administration Finding of No Significant Impact |website=www.faa.gov |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515030315/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/20060829_Blue_Origin_EA_FONSI_signed.pdf |archive-date=May 15, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Blue Origin Completes Third Human Spaceflight |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-shepard-ns-19-mission-updates |access-date=July 2, 2023 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US}}</ref> The crew capsule descends afterward under three parachutes and a solid rocket motor. The crew capsule can also separate in case of a vehicle malfunction or other emergency using solid propellant separation boosters, then perform a parachute landing.<ref name="gw20160305" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Blue Origin rocket malfunctions, triggers dramatic but safe abort for unpiloted New Shepard capsule|first1=William|last1=Harwood|date=September 12, 2022|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/blue-origin-rocket-malfunctions-triggers-dramatic-but-safe-abort-for-unpiloted-new-shepard-capsule/|work=CBS News|access-date=January 13, 2023}}</ref> The total flight duration of the rocket is over 7 minutes, while the total flight time for the crew capsule is around 10 minutes.

== NASA suborbital research payloads ==

{{as of|2011|03}}, Blue Origin had submitted the New Shepard reusable launch vehicle for use as an uncrewed rocket for NASA's suborbital reusable launch vehicle (sRLV) solicitation under NASA's Flight Opportunities Program. Blue Origin projects {{convert|100|km|mi|abbr=on}} altitude in flights of approximately ten minutes duration, while carrying an {{convert|11.3|kg|abbr=on|adj=on}} research payload.<ref name="nasa20110310">{{cite web |title=sRLV platforms compared |url=https://c3.ndc.nasa.gov/flightopportunities/platforms/compare/ |publisher=NASA |access-date=March 10, 2011 |date=March 7, 2011 |quote=New Shepard: Type: VTVL/Unpiloted |archive-date=February 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210220015430/https://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/technologies/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> By March 2016, Blue Origin noted that they are "due to start flying unaccompanied scientific payloads later [in 2016]."<ref name="gw20160305" /> On April 29, 2018, during its eighth flight New Shepard carried the Schmitt Space Communicator SC-1x, a three-pound device developed by Solstar that launched the first commercial Wi-Fi hotspot service in space and sent the first commercial Twitter message from space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=How Humans Will Bring the Internet to Space |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/how-humans-will-bring-the-internet-to-space/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Vice.com |date=July 3, 2019 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Apogee 351,000 Feet |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/apogee-351-000-feet |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US}}</ref> NASA provided a part of the $2 million project's funding as a part of its Flight Opportunities program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ditzler |first=Joseph |title=Space Wi-Fi startup aims to raise $1M via crowdfunding investment site |url=https://www.santafenewmexican.com/news/business/space-wi-fi-startup-aims-to-raise-1m-via-crowdfunding-investment-site/article_ad343c52-9bb8-5f89-8790-a27fdf39421e.html |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=Santa Fe New Mexican |date=July 2, 2018 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 29, 2018 |title=New Mexico firm hopes to offer Wi-Fi for space travelers |url=https://www.seattletimes.com/business/new-mexico-firm-hopes-to-offer-wi-fi-for-space-travelers/ |access-date=January 5, 2023 |website=The Seattle Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

On 12 September 2022,18 NASA payloads were flying on NS-23<ref name="Mike Wall-2022" /> when an in-flight failure of the rocket's main engine caused an emergency ejection of the payload capsule. The payload capsule landed safely and was recovered whilst the rocket was lost.<ref name="sn20220912">{{cite news |title=New Shepard suffers in-flight abort on uncrewed suborbital flight |first=Jeff|last=Foust |date=September 12, 2022 |url=https://spacenews.com/new-shepard-suffers-in-flight-abort-on-uncrewed-suborbital-flight/ |work=SpaceNews |access-date=September 12, 2022}}</ref>

=== Involvement with NASA Commercial Crew Development Program === Blue Origin received US$3.7 million in Commercial Crew Development (CCDev) phase 1 to advance several development objectives of its innovative "pusher" Launch Abort System (LAS) and composite pressure vessel.<ref name="Clark">{{cite news |author=Jeff Foust |title=Blue Origin proposes orbital vehicle |publisher=NewSpace Journal |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2010/02/18/blue-origin-proposes-orbital-vehicle/ |access-date=April 23, 2015}}</ref>

In February 2011, with the end of the second ground test nearly complete, the company completed all work envisioned under the phase 1 contract for the pusher escape system. They also "completed work on the other aspect of its award, risk reduction work on a composite pressure vessel" for the vehicle.<ref name="nsj20110204">{{cite news |date=February 4, 2011 |title=CCDev awardees one year later: where are they now? |newspaper=NewSpace Journal |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/02/04/ccdev-awardees-one-year-later-where-are-they-now/ |url-status=dead |access-date=February 5, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605111613/http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/02/04/ccdev-awardees-one-year-later-where-are-they-now/ |archive-date=June 5, 2013}}</ref>

== References == {{Reflist}}

== External links == {{commons category}} * {{Official website|https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard/}}  * [https://web.archive.org/web/20080411045902/http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2006/06/24/669.aspx Blue's Rocket Clues] (MSNBC's Cosmic Log, June 24, 2006) * [http://www.space.com/2-top-10-fantasy-spaceships-headed-reality.html Future & Fantasy Spaceships Primed for Launch Commercial, Orbital Spacecraft] (see p. 8) * [https://web.archive.org/web/20090617195547/http://spacefellowship.com/News/?cat=40 Latest Blue Origin news on the Space Fellowship] * [http://www.space.com/11457-blue-origin-commercial-crew-development.html Secretive Spaceship Builder's Plans Hinted at in NASA Agreement Commercial Crew Development Blue Origin] (2 new craft images) * [https://aorbita.com/en/rocket/new-shepard-blue-origin Overview New Shepard]

;Videos * [https://web.archive.org/web/20180908153705/https://www.blueorigin.com/gallery Images and videos at Blue Origin] * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sij4ivRwHuQ New Shepard space vehicle first successful soft landing], November 23, 2015 (YouTube)

Category:Blue Origin launch vehicles Category:Space tourism Category:Reusable launch systems Category:VTVL rockets Category:Suborbital spaceflight Category:Vehicles introduced in 2015 Category:Alan Shepard Category:New Shepard