Blue Origin's Milestones: 100th Woman in Space and New Glenn Rocket

In the ever-evolving narrative of space exploration, Blue Origin has recently marked two significant milestones: the launch of its New Shepard rocket carrying Emily Calandrelli, the 100th woman to fly to space, and the preparation of the New Glenn rocket for its inaugural launch.

The Journey of Emily Calandrelli

On November 22, 2024, Emily Calandrelli, known as "The Space Gal," lifted off aboard Blue Origin's New Shepard rocket alongside five other civilian astronauts. This suborbital flight, which lasted approximately ten minutes, not only showcased the power of private space exploration but also highlighted a remarkable accomplishment in gender representation in STEM fields.

Emily expressed her excitement on social media, stating, "This is my dream," emphasizing her dedication to inspiring girls in STEM. Having studied aerospace engineering for nearly a decade, she shines as a beacon of hope for aspiring young scientists and engineers.

The NS-28 Mission Details

The NS-28 mission was notable as it featured a diverse group of passengers, including:

• Marc and Sharon Hagle: A married couple returning after their previous flight on NS-20 in 2022.
• Austin Litteral: Sponsored by the live shopping platform Whatnot.
• J.D. Russell: An entrepreneur and a former game warden.
• Hank Wolfond: CEO of a Canadian investment firm and a private pilot.

The flight reached an apogee of 347,661 feet (or 65.8 miles), exceeding the internationally recognized boundary of space, the Kármán line. The RSS First Step, the spacecraft used for this mission, made a soft landing after deployment from the propulsion module, which executed a successful vertical touchdown.

Calandrelli’s journey symbolizes a step forward not just in the realm of space travel but also in promoting female representation in a field traditionally dominated by men. She is praised as the 10th woman to fly on a suborbital flight and the 21st woman overall to reach space, following in the footsteps of historic figures like Valentina Tereshkova, the first woman in space, and Wally Funk, the first woman on a Blue Origin flight.

Launching the New Glenn Rocket

While Calandrelli's journey garnered widespread attention, Blue Origin’s preparation of the New Glenn rocket signals an ambitious expansion in orbital launch capabilities. Recently raised on the Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, New Glenn is a powerful reusable rocket designed to meet the growing demands of space exploration and commercial satellite launches.

Key Features of New Glenn

• Height: The rocket stands approximately 320 feet tall.
• Variants: Available in two- or three-stage variants; the three-stage version reaches a height of 313 feet.
• Payloads: New Glenn is set to carry payloads including NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars and other commercial satellite missions like Project Kuiper.

Blue Origin recently shared that the New Glenn rocket aims for its maiden launch by late 2024. The rocket will utilize a first-stage booster that is designed to land on a sea platform, similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9 recovery practices, thereby enhancing its reuse efficiency.

The Role of Blue Ring

The Blue Ring spacecraft, designated to accompany New Glenn, symbolizes Blue Origin’s commitment to versatility in spacecraft design. As a service module, it can maneuver through multiple orbits, adapting to various mission needs.

Conclusion

Blue Origin’s dual triumphs—the historic flight of Emily Calandrelli and the upcoming launch of the New Glenn rocket—serve as reminders of humanity's growing capacity to explore beyond our planet. These milestones not only exhibit technological advancement but also inspire future generations to aspire for greatness in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

As Blue Origin continues to push the boundaries of space travel, both through suborbital achievements and ambitious orbital missions, the narrative of inclusivity and innovation in space exploration becomes ever more profound.