WASHINGTON – Blue Origin launched its first rocket in more than a year on Dec 19, reviving the American company’s fortunes with a successful return to space following an uncrewed crash in 2022.

Though mission NS-24 carried a payload of science experiments, not people, it paves the way for Mr Jeff Bezos’ aerospace enterprise to resume taking wealthy thrill-seekers to the final frontier.

The New Shepard suborbital rocket blasted off from the pad at Launch Site One, near Van Horn, in Texas, at 10.42 am.

After separating from the booster, the gumdrop-shaped capsule attained a peak altitude of 107,000m above sea level, well above the internationally recognised boundary of space known as the Karman line, which is 99,700m high.

The booster then successfully landed vertically on the launchpad, against the majestic backdrop of the Sierra Diablo mountains, followed a few minutes later by the capsule floating to the desert floor on three giant parachutes.

All in all, the mission lasted 10 minutes and 13 seconds.

“Demand for New Shepard flights continues to grow, and we’re looking forward to increasing our flight cadence in 2024,” said Mr Phil Joyce, the company’s senior vice-president.

The science experiments on board included one to demonstrate the operation of hydrogen fuel cell technology in microgravity, and another showing how water and gas move in a weightless environment.

Future applications could include monitoring water quality for astronauts in space.

Long break

On Sept 12, 2022, a Blue Origin rocket became engulfed in flames shortly after launch. The capsule, fixed to the top of the rocket, successfully initiated an emergency separation sequence and floated safely to the ground.

The accident prompted a year-long probe by the Federal Aviation Administration, which found it was caused by the failure of an engine nozzle that experienced higher-than-expected operating temperatures.

The regulator issued a set of corrective actions for Blue Origin to undertake before it could resume flying, including the redesign of certain engine parts.

In all, Blue Origin has carried out six crewed flights since July 2021, when Mr Bezos himself took part in the first one. Some of the passengers on the flights were paying customers and others were guests.

While Blue Origin was grounded, rival Virgin Galactic – the company founded by British billionaire Richard Branson – pressed on, with five commercial flights in 2023.

Hours after Blue Origin’s success, Virgin announced that the flight window for its next mission would open on Jan 26.

“We’re excited to begin 2024 by bringing four new Virgin Galactic astronauts to space with our Galactic 06 mission,” said chief executive Michael Colglazier in a statement.

The two companies compete in the emerging space tourism sector, operating in suborbital space.

Reusable rocket, no carbon emissions

While Blue Origin launches a small rocket vertically, Virgin Galactic uses a large carrier plane to gain altitude and then drop off a smaller, rocket-powered spaceplane that completes the journey to space.

In both cases, passengers enjoy a few minutes of weightlessness and can view the curvature of the earth through large windows.

Virgin Galactic tickets were sold for US$200,000 (S$265,000) to US$450,000. Blue Origin does not publicly disclose its ticket prices.

Blue Origin can boast of the fact that nearly all of its rocket platform is reused, including the booster, capsule, engine, landing gear and parachutes.

Its engine, meanwhile, is fuelled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen, meaning the only by-product during flight is water vapour, with no carbon emissions.

Blue Origin is also developing a heavy rocket for commercial purposes called New Glenn, with the maiden flight planned for 2024.

This rocket, which measures 98m high, is designed to carry payloads of as much as 45 tonnes into low earth orbit. AFP