After being idle for 9 months, Amazon CEO Jeff Bezo’s commercial space company Blue Origin plans to launch its New Shepard (New Shepard) on Thursday, local time. ) The suborbital spacecraft returned on the same day, aiming to test a precision landing system for NASA.
The flight test project of the “New Shepard” spacecraft has been underway for five years. This Thursday will be its 13th test flight, and it will also be the first flight since the outbreak of the new crown virus. For this reason, it is the first time to take measures against the epidemic. Extra safety protection measures.
Blue Origin said in a statement: “Safety is our top priority. We always take time to do our best to ensure that our spacecraft is sturdy and the test environment is safe for launch operations. All The personnel supporting this launch mission are observing strict social distancing and safety measures to reduce the risk of the new crown virus epidemic to personnel, customers and surrounding communities.”
Blue Origin said that the “New Shepard” spacecraft will be launched at the suborbital launch site in western Texas at 10 am Central Time (24 am Beijing time) on Thursday. Blue Origin also stated: “Current weather conditions are favorable for launch.” The countdown, launch and approximately 10 minutes of flight will be broadcast live on Blue Origin’s website (BlueOrigin.com). At that time, NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine (Jim Bridenstine) will provide special updates during the webcast.
Concerns about the new crown virus epidemic may be one of the reasons why the “New Shepard” spacecraft was grounded for 9 months. In addition, it takes extra time to prepare for the landing system test. This time, Blue Origin will test some technologies designed specifically for the lunar lander, including the lander built by Blue Origin and its partners for NASA’s return to the moon program.
This time, the outside of the hydrogen-fueled rocket booster of the “New Shepard” spacecraft is equipped with Doppler lidar sensors, terrain-relative navigation systems, and landing and landing computers, the NASA Lunar Mission Precision Landing System (SPLICE). ) Of the three components.
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