{"id":75547,"date":"2025-09-20T16:30:16","date_gmt":"2025-09-20T16:30:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/75547\/"},"modified":"2025-09-20T16:30:16","modified_gmt":"2025-09-20T16:30:16","slug":"40-experiments-soar-on-ns-35-after-delay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/75547\/","title":{"rendered":"40+ Experiments Soar on NS-35 After Delay"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Successful Launch After Delay:<\/strong> Blue Origin <strong>launched its 35th New Shepard suborbital mission (NS-35)<\/strong> on Sept. 18, 2025, lifting off at 9:01 a.m. EDT from its West Texas site after a nearly four-week delay due to booster avionics issues <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=descended%20under%20parachutes%20for%20a,touchdown%20at%20T%2B10%3A15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20launched%20its%2035th,week%20delay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. The uncrewed flight had been scrubbed on Aug. 23 and 26 to fix the issue, finally flying on the third attempt.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Science Payloads Onboard:<\/strong> Instead of tourists, <strong>NS-35 carried over 40 scientific and educational payloads<\/strong> to space and back <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=West%20Texas%20site%20at%209%3A01,local%20Texas%20time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. This includes <strong>24 student-built experiments<\/strong> from NASA\u2019s TechRise Challenge for 6th\u201312th graders <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=West%20Texas%20site%20at%209%3A01,local%20Texas%20time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. The mission also flew thousands of postcards from Blue Origin\u2019s <strong>Club for the Future<\/strong> nonprofit, which will be returned to students stamped \u201cFlown to Space.\u201d<\/li>\n<li><strong>Brief Trip to Space and Back:<\/strong> New Shepard consists of a reusable booster and capsule. <strong>NS-35\u2019s booster and capsule reached over 100 km<\/strong> (above the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Line, the 100 km boundary of space) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>, providing <strong>about 3 minutes of weightlessness<\/strong> for the experiments. About 7.5 minutes after liftoff, the booster autonomously <strong>landed upright<\/strong> ~2 miles from the pad, and the capsule <strong>parachuted safely to Earth ~10 minutes<\/strong> after launch <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Milestones for Blue Origin:<\/strong> This flight brings the <strong>total number of experiments flown by New Shepard to over 200<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20successfully%20completed%20its,Shepard%20to%20more%20than%20200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. It was the <strong>15th dedicated research mission<\/strong> (no crew aboard) and the <strong>35th New Shepard flight overall<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20successfully%20completed%20its,Shepard%20to%20more%20than%20200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Notably, it was the <strong>12th and final flight<\/strong> for the \u201cRSS H.G. Wells\u201d capsule, which will be retired for display after supporting educational missions since 2017 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=This%20was%20the%2012th%20and,a%20location%20to%20be%20determined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Blue Origin has now flown <strong>eight New Shepard missions in 2025<\/strong> alone, a marked increase in launch cadence <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=This%20mission%20marked%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s,New%20Shepard%E2%80%99s%2035th%20mission%20overall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Suborbital Spaceflight Competition:<\/strong> Blue Origin\u2019s <strong>New Shepard<\/strong> rocket and capsule system offers rapid reusability and flights past the 100 km mark. Its main competitor, <strong>Virgin Galactic<\/strong>, uses a space plane (VSS Unity) launched from a carrier aircraft to carry passengers to ~87 km altitude <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=an%20altitude%20of%2044%2C562%20feet,63%20rolling%20out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. Both companies are expanding suborbital <strong>space tourism<\/strong> and research: <strong>14 of Blue Origin\u2019s 34 prior missions carried people<\/strong> including celebrities like William Shatner and Katy Perry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20also%20conducts%20crewed,people%20to%20the%20final%20frontier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>, while Virgin Galactic has begun regular commercial flights, even flying a Turkish astronaut and paying customers on its final Unity mission in 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Virgin%20Galactic%20launched%20six%20people,the%20VSS%20Unity%20space%20plane\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Launch at Last After Avionics Delays<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin\u2019s <strong>NS-35 mission<\/strong> finally blasted off on September 18, 2025, after weeks of anticipation and troubleshooting. The <strong>New Shepard<\/strong> suborbital rocket lifted off from <strong>Launch Site One in West Texas<\/strong> at 9:01 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (8:01 a.m. local) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20launched%20its%2035th,week%20delay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. This launch came after a <strong>\u201cstand down\u201d period of nearly four weeks<\/strong> \u2013 the company had attempted to fly the mission in late August but <strong>scrubbed the Aug. 23 and Aug. 26 launch attempts<\/strong> when an issue arose with the booster\u2019s avionics system <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=descended%20under%20parachutes%20for%20a,touchdown%20at%20T%2B10%3A15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. Engineers worked to resolve the technical glitch, and the third scheduled date proved the charm. By mid-September, all systems were go, clearing the way for New Shepard\u2019s return to the skies.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>flight, dubbed NS-35, was uncrewed<\/strong>, focusing purely on research payloads rather than space tourists. At launch, the reusable first-stage booster thundered skyward carrying a capsule full of experiments. Roughly <strong>2\u00bd minutes into flight<\/strong>, the single BE-3 engine shut off and the capsule separated to coast to its apogee above <strong>the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Line (100 km)<\/strong> \u2013 the internationally recognized boundary of space <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. The <strong>suborbital trajectory<\/strong> gave the payloads a few minutes in microgravity environment before gravity pulled the capsule back down. The NS-35 mission profile was typical for New Shepard: about <strong>10\u201312 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown<\/strong> in the desert <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Both parts of the spacecraft performed textbook landings. The <strong>New Shepard booster autonomously reignited engines to slow down and landed softly on its concrete pad<\/strong> only ~2 miles from where it launched <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=last%2010%20to%2012%20minutes,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. This occurred just <strong>7 minutes 30 seconds after launch<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=last%2010%20to%2012%20minutes,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. Meanwhile, the capsule reentered the lower atmosphere, deployed a trio of parachutes, and <strong>drifted to a gentle touchdown at T+10 minutes 15 seconds<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=are%20reusable,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. Blue Origin confirmed a successful mission recovery: the booster will be refurbished for another flight, and the capsule\u2019s precious cargo of experiments could be retrieved intact for analysis.<\/p>\n<p>This achievement was especially sweet for Blue Origin because it marked a <strong>full return-to-flight<\/strong> for New Shepard after earlier challenges. Back in September 2022, an <strong>NS-23 mission failure<\/strong> (caused by a BE-3 engine nozzle overheating and breaking apart) had grounded the fleet for over a year <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20FAA%20has%20closed%20the,as%20well%20as%20organizational%20changes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a>. That uncrewed NS-23 launch dramatically <strong>aborted mid-flight<\/strong>, though the capsule\u2019s emergency escape system worked perfectly, and it parachuted down safe with its payloads <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=During%20the%20mishap%20the%20onboard,injuries%20or%20public%20property%20damage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a>. An investigation by Blue Origin (overseen by the FAA) identified the root cause \u2013 a <strong>thermo-structural failure of the engine\u2019s nozzle<\/strong> due to higher-than-expected temperatures \u2013 and the company implemented <strong>21 corrective actions including engine redesigns<\/strong> to prevent a repeat <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20FAA%20has%20closed%20the,as%20well%20as%20organizational%20changes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a>. The FAA formally cleared New Shepard to fly again in late 2023 after these fixes <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20FAA%20has%20closed%20the,as%20well%20as%20organizational%20changes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>With NS-35\u2019s success, Blue Origin demonstrates that those fixes and rigorous tests paid off. In fact, 2025 has been the busiest year yet for New Shepard. <strong>NS-35 was Blue Origin\u2019s 8th launch of the year<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=This%20mission%20marked%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s,New%20Shepard%E2%80%99s%2035th%20mission%20overall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>, reflecting an increased cadence and confidence in the vehicle. Vice President of Mission &amp; Flight Operations <strong>Audrey Powers<\/strong> lauded the broader accomplishment, saying \u201cWe\u2019re proud to have flown hundreds of science, research, and educational payloads to space on New Shepard\u2026 Each mission has expanded opportunities for our customers to rapidly and reliably test space technologies, conduct groundbreaking research, and engage the next generation of scientists and explorers.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20proud%20to%20have%20flown,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. In short, after a bumpy road, <strong>New Shepard is back on track and busier than ever<\/strong>, reliably delivering payloads (and people) to the edge of space.<\/p>\n<p>Student Experiments Ride to Space<\/p>\n<p>One thing that made the NS-35 mission special is its focus on <strong>science and education<\/strong>. The <strong>capsule carried more than 40 microgravity research payloads<\/strong> from a mix of schools, universities, companies, and institutions <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20successfully%20completed%20its,Shepard%20to%20more%20than%20200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Notably, <strong>24 of those experiments were built by U.S. students in grades 6\u201312<\/strong> as part of NASA\u2019s <strong>TechRise Student Challenge<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=West%20Texas%20site%20at%209%3A01,local%20Texas%20time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. This NASA-sponsored competition invites teams of middle and high schoolers to design and build experiments for suborbital flight, with the winners getting their projects launched on platforms like Blue Origin\u2019s New Shepard. \u201c<strong>TechRise allows us to engage the Artemis generation and enables them to get real experience in the flight process from start to finish<\/strong>,\u201d said <strong>Jim Reuter<\/strong>, associate administrator of NASA\u2019s Space Technology Mission Directorate <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/nasa-techrise-student-experiments-count-down-to-flight\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTechRise%20allows%20us%20to%20engage,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasa.gov<\/a>. By flying student payloads, Blue Origin and NASA are nurturing future scientists and engineers, giving youth a direct taste of aerospace engineering and experimentation.<\/p>\n<p>The <strong>student experiments<\/strong> on NS-35 were wide-ranging in their curiosities. According to Blue Origin, the TechRise teams investigated topics like <strong>space farming (growing plants in microgravity), medical innovations for space, and fluid behavior<\/strong> in low gravity <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,first%20of%20its%20kind%2C%20featuring\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Such hands-on projects expose students to real-world STEM challenges \u2013 from designing electronics that can survive rocket launch vibrations to programming sensors that collect data in weightlessness. The payload bay of the New Shepard capsule offers over <strong>three minutes of high-quality microgravity<\/strong> (free-fall) time <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20mission%20will%20provide%20over,Teachers%20in%20Space%2C%20among%20others\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>, during which these experiments can operate without the interference of Earth\u2019s gravity. That\u2019s long enough to, for example, observe how plant seeds germinate when \u201cweightless\u201d, or how certain fluids mix (or separate) in microgravity, which can inform future space medical devices or life support systems.<\/p>\n<p>In addition to the TechRise payloads, <strong>NS-35 hosted experiments from research organizations and companies<\/strong>. Blue Origin highlighted a few \u201c<strong>manifest all-stars<\/strong>\u201d among them <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceconnectonline.com.au\/launch\/6678-blue-origin-to-launch-35th-new-shepard-mission-with-student-and-research-payloads?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,to%20the%20moon%20and%20Mars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">spaceconnectonline.com.au<\/a>:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>A.R.E.S. (by Ecoatoms):<\/strong> A materials science test of <strong>chemical coatings in microgravity<\/strong>, using a special structure with <strong>432 sensors being coated simultaneously in space<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceconnectonline.com.au\/launch\/6678-blue-origin-to-launch-35th-new-shepard-mission-with-student-and-research-payloads?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,to%20the%20moon%20and%20Mars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">spaceconnectonline.com.au<\/a>. This experiment, funded by NASA\u2019s Flight Opportunities program, aims to see how certain coatings form or behave without gravity \u2013 knowledge that could improve manufacturing processes for satellites or space habitats.<\/li>\n<li><strong>B.I.S.S. \u2013 Biological Imaging in Support of Suborbital Science (University of Florida):<\/strong> A biology study led by researchers <strong>Rob Ferl and Anna-Lisa Paul<\/strong> (both veteran space biologists) to adapt a fluorescence imaging microscope for suborbital use <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=NASA%E2%80%99s%20Flight%20Opportunities%20program%20provided,the%20funding%20for%20this%20payload\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. This was actually the fifth flight of their upgraded \u201cFLEX\u201d imaging system on New Shepard <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=NASA%E2%80%99s%20Flight%20Opportunities%20program%20provided,the%20funding%20for%20this%20payload\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. By taking high-speed fluorescent images of biological samples in microgravity, they can examine how cells or small organisms respond during short spaceflights \u2013 data that complements longer-duration experiments on the International Space Station.<\/li>\n<li><strong>PROTO &amp; MUD (Carthage College with NASA JSC):<\/strong> An engineering demo called <strong>Propellant Refueling and On-Orbit Transfer Operations<\/strong> and <strong>Microgravity Ullage Detection<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=funding%20for%20this%20payload.%20,spacecraft%20propellant%20levels%20in%20microgravity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. In simpler terms, this student-led project is testing ways to measure fuel levels in a tank in microgravity and locate the boundary between liquid fuel and gas (\u201cullage\u201d) in a weightless propellant tank <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=funding%20for%20this%20payload.%20,spacecraft%20propellant%20levels%20in%20microgravity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Mastering such techniques is crucial for <strong>in-space refueling<\/strong> of spacecraft \u2013 something future Moon or Mars missions will need.<\/li>\n<li><strong>EDR Fuel Cell (Teledyne &amp; NASA Glenn):<\/strong> A test of an <strong>innovative hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell<\/strong> that produces electricity and water, which could power long-duration missions to the Moon or Mars <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,across%20all%20mission%20phases%20and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Teledyne has spent over a decade developing this system, and NS-35 allowed it to be run through all phases of a spaceflight (from launch G-forces to microgravity to reentry) to ensure it\u2019s robust <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,across%20all%20mission%20phases%20and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Fuel cells were used in Apollo missions; modern versions could be key for sustainable lunar exploration.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Teachers in Space (TIS-3 &amp; TIS-4):<\/strong> A collection of <strong>small experiments designed by school teachers and their students<\/strong> across New Mexico, New York, and Maine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=match%20at%20L199%20%2A%20TIS,detection%20and%20protection%2C%20sound%20level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. These payloads, facilitated by the nonprofit <strong>Teachers in Space<\/strong>, focused on measuring things like <strong>radiation levels, sound levels, and other environmental data<\/strong> during the flight <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=match%20at%20L199%20%2A%20TIS,detection%20and%20protection%2C%20sound%20level\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. It\u2019s both an educational experience and a way to gather data that classrooms back home can analyze.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>All these payloads were packed into the New Shepard capsule in dedicated slots or lockers. During the ~10-minute flight, onboard systems provided power and telemetry to the experiments. From the moment of microgravity until gravity returned, these devices autonomously carried out their programs \u2013 whether it was taking pictures of plant roots, activating a chemical process, or collecting sensor data. The <strong>suborbital flight may be short, but it\u2019s enough to run meaningful experiments<\/strong>, especially when flights can be repeated frequently.<\/p>\n<p>For the students and researchers involved, NS-35\u2019s success was exhilarating. Their hard work quite literally <strong>reached space<\/strong>, and soon they\u2019ll be analyzing the data or retrieving physical samples from their experiments. Each Blue Origin payload mission is an opportunity to test new ideas quickly and relatively cheaply. In the past, scientists had to wait for infrequent Space Shuttle flights or sounding rockets to perform such microgravity experiments. Now, with commercial suborbital vehicles like New Shepard (and Virgin Galactic\u2019s spaceplane), there are more avenues to fly small payloads and prototypes to space and back.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin\u2019s non-profit <strong>Club for the Future<\/strong> added an inspiring touch to the mission. The organization flew <strong>\u201cPostcards to Space\u201d<\/strong> \u2013 thousands of postcards drawn or written by students around the world \u2013 tucked aboard NS-35 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Club%20for%20the%20Future%2C%20Blue,opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. It\u2019s a tradition Blue Origin has upheld on many flights. After the capsule lands, these postcards, now bearing an official \u201cFlown to Space\u201d stamp, will be mailed back to the young people who created them <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Club%20for%20the%20Future%2C%20Blue,opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. It\u2019s a simple but powerful keepsake meant to light a spark in the next generation. According to Blue Origin, the Club for the Future\u2019s educational programs have already <strong>engaged nearly 95 million people globally<\/strong> with space-themed activities and lessons <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Challenge%2C%20along%20with%20thousands%20of,opens%20in%20a%20new%20tab\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. By literally sending students\u2019 hopes and artwork to space, NS-35 carried a piece of human aspiration on its journey \u2013 a reminder that these missions are not only about advanced science, but also about <strong>inspiring humanity\u2019s future explorers<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Reusable New Shepard: 35 Flights and Counting<\/p>\n<p>The New Shepard system used in NS-35 is a <strong>fully reusable suborbital rocket<\/strong>, designed for fast turnaround between missions. Blue Origin has multiple New Shepard boosters and capsules; for this mission, they used <strong>their newest booster (tailnumber NS5)<\/strong> and the dedicated payload capsule RSS H.G. Wells <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=match%20at%20L931%20The%20booster,and%20is%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s%20dedicated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>. This <strong>booster had flown 4 times previously<\/strong> and managed an impressively short <strong>81-day turnaround<\/strong> since its last flight <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=match%20at%20L931%20The%20booster,and%20is%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s%20dedicated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>. By comparison, early New Shepard boosters in 2015\u20132016 took several months between flights, so this shows how far Blue Origin has refined operations.<\/p>\n<p>As for the H.G. Wells capsule, NS-35 marked its <strong>12th flight to space since 2017<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=The%20booster%20that%20supported%20this,and%20is%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s%20dedicated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>. This particular capsule is reserved for payload missions (no seats or tourists aboard, just experiments) \u2013 essentially a workhorse lab in the sky. Blue Origin announced it will <strong>retire the Wells capsule after this mission<\/strong>, repurposing it for ground testing and eventually placing it on <strong>permanent display in a museum or other venue<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=This%20was%20the%2012th%20and,a%20location%20to%20be%20determined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. With a dozen successful spaceflights under its belt, H.G. Wells certainly earned its place in the suborbital hall of fame. (Blue Origin\u2019s other capsule, RSS First Step, is used for crewed flights and will continue carrying passengers.)<\/p>\n<p>New Shepard\u2019s robust reusability is a key part of <strong>Blue Origin\u2019s strategy to lower the cost of access to space<\/strong>. The rocket stands about <strong>19 meters tall and 3.8 m in diameter<\/strong>, and runs on <strong>liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen<\/strong> fuel powering a single BE-3 engine <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20is%20a%2019,of%20the%20first%20and%20second\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a>. After boosting the capsule to space, the BE-3 engine can throttle up to soft-land the booster propulsively, a technique pioneered by Blue Origin and famously also used by SpaceX for Falcon 9 boosters. The capsule, meanwhile, is designed for a smooth landing with parachutes and retro-thrusters firing just before touchdown to cushion the impact. New Shepard capsules feature <strong>large picture windows<\/strong> (measuring 3\u00d74 feet) \u2013 these are actually the largest windows ever flown in space, offering views of Earth\u2019s curvature to anyone on board.<\/p>\n<p>While NS-35 had <strong>no human crew<\/strong>, Blue Origin\u2019s <strong>New Shepard is human-rated<\/strong> and has frequently flown people on other missions. In fact, out of 35 total flights so far, <strong>14 have carried passengers<\/strong> (often 6 at a time) to experience a few minutes of spaceflight <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20also%20conducts%20crewed,people%20to%20the%20final%20frontier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. The rocket\u2019s <strong>launch and landing record remains perfect for capsules carrying people<\/strong>, with redundancy and an escape system ensuring safety. (Even during the NS-23 failure, the capsule\u2019s abort motor whisked it away from the failing booster, demonstrating the system\u2019s effectiveness under real emergency conditions.)<\/p>\n<p>The success of NS-35 also highlights how New Shepard can seamlessly toggle between roles: <strong>space tourism vehicle<\/strong> one month, <strong>science research platform<\/strong> the next. This dual-purpose use was built into the program from the start. Blue Origin has cultivated a growing market for <strong>suborbital research<\/strong> \u2013 selling flight opportunities to NASA\u2019s Flight Opportunities program, universities, and even corporations that want to test technology in space cheaply. Researchers praise the quick turnaround and gentle return of payloads (compared to the jarring reentry from orbit) which make New Shepard a unique microgravity lab.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin often emphasizes that <strong>New Shepard flights are not just joyrides, but also valuable for advancing science and technology<\/strong>. As evidence, NS-35\u2019s mission officially pushed the <strong>total count of distinct research payloads flown to over 200<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20successfully%20completed%20its,Shepard%20to%20more%20than%20200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. Many experiments have flown multiple times to refine results. This rapid iteration is something impossible to do on the ISS or an orbital rocket frequently, due to cost and scheduling. Suborbital vehicles thus fill a niche for <strong>affordable, frequent space access<\/strong> that sits between Earth-bound lab drop towers and full orbital missions.<\/p>\n<p>Audrey Powers\u2019 remarks summed up Blue Origin\u2019s philosophy well \u2013 each mission \u201c<strong>expands opportunities<\/strong>\u201d for customers to test ideas in space quickly and reliably <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20proud%20to%20have%20flown,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. For example, a small start-up can see how its sensor behaves in microgravity months after development, or a college student can fly a thesis experiment without needing a multi-million dollar satellite. This <strong>democratization of space research<\/strong> is a quiet revolution happening alongside the more flashy space tourism headlines.<\/p>\n<p>Space Tourism Milestones and Competition<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin\u2019s New Shepard became famous globally on July 20, 2021, when it carried founder <strong>Jeff Bezos<\/strong>, his brother Mark, aviation legend <strong>Wally Funk<\/strong> (at 82, then the oldest person to reach space), and 18-year-old Oliver Daemen (the youngest ever in space) on a historic first crewed flight (NS-16). Since then, Blue Origin has launched <strong>several crewed missions<\/strong> \u2013 including some headline-grabbing passengers. In October 2021, <strong>William Shatner<\/strong>, Star Trek\u2019s Captain Kirk, flew to space at age 90 on NS-18, memorably describing the experience as the \u201cmost profound\u201d of his life and coming back visibly emotional. More recently, in April 2025, Blue Origin flew an <strong>all-female crew on NS-31<\/strong>, a \u201cstar-studded\u201d mission that included pop star <strong>Katy Perry<\/strong> and media personality <strong>Gayle King<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-31-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%27s%20New%20Shepard%20Rocket,Gayle%20King%2C%20Katy%20Perry%2C\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>. This was organized by Lauren S\u00e1nchez (a journalist and Bezos\u2019s partner) to spotlight women in space. <strong>NS-33 in June 2025<\/strong> and <strong>NS-34 in August 2025<\/strong> also carried private customers, one of whom was <strong>Justin Sun<\/strong>, a cryptocurrency billionaire <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20most%20recent%20such%20jaunt%2C,actor\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. By some counts, Blue Origin\u2019s flights have now sent <strong>over 40 different people to space<\/strong>, and on NS-34 they celebrated carrying the <strong>750th person to ever cross the space boundary<\/strong> (when tallying all humans historically) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Private%20Spaceflight%20Watch%20Blue%20Origin,33%20spaceflight\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Tickets for a New Shepard ride are not publicly priced, but are believed to cost <strong>around $250,000 or more per seat<\/strong>, comparable to its rival Virgin Galactic. Demand appears strong; Blue Origin reportedly has a backlog of paying customers and special guests waiting for their turn to float in space for a few minutes. The typical New Shepard crew mission lasts ~10\u201311 minutes with <strong>about 3 minutes of weightlessness<\/strong>, during which passengers unstrap to float around the spacious cabin, marvel at the <strong>panoramic Earth view through huge windows<\/strong>, and literally soak in the fact that they are above 99.9% of Earth\u2019s atmosphere.<\/p>\n<p>Footage from these missions shows <strong>delighted spacefarers doing somersaults<\/strong> and pressing their faces to the glass. On one flight, Canadian actor <strong>William Shatner<\/strong> was moved to tears by seeing the thin blue atmosphere and the blackness of space, calling it \u201cso fragile\u201d and warning about Earth\u2019s fragility. Similarly, on Virgin Galactic\u2019s side, <strong>Turkish astronaut Alper Gezeravc\u0131<\/strong> (Tuva Atasever) who flew on a suborbital mission described the view of Earth as \u201cnot something you can describe with adjectives\u2026 It\u2019s an experiential thing\u2026 you just feel it in your gut.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> Such testimonials underscore why people are willing to spend a small fortune for just a few minutes off-world. It\u2019s an <strong>intense, life-changing experience<\/strong> for many \u2013 a striking combination of adrenaline rush, sensory awe, and spiritual reflection.<\/p>\n<p>In the <strong>new era of commercial space tourism<\/strong>, Blue Origin and <strong>Virgin Galactic<\/strong> are direct competitors \u2013 though their approaches differ significantly. <strong>Blue Origin\u2019s New Shepard is a vertical-launch rocket<\/strong>: passengers sit atop a rocket that shoots straight up past the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line (about 105 km on NS-35), then they experience microgravity, and return in a capsule via parachutes. <strong>Virgin Galactic\u2019s SpaceShipTwo (VSS Unity)<\/strong> is a rocket-powered spaceplane: it is carried under a mothership aircraft (WhiteKnightTwo) to about 50,000 feet, then released and its rocket engine fires to boost it in an upward arc to the edge of space (around 80\u201390 km altitude) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=an%20altitude%20of%2044%2C562%20feet,63%20rolling%20out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. After giving the crew a few minutes of weightlessness, the pilots glide the craft back to a runway landing like a plane.<\/p>\n<p>One <strong>key distinction<\/strong> is altitude: Blue Origin advertises that it <strong>truly goes above 100 km<\/strong>, the internationally recognized space threshold <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. Virgin Galactic\u2019s flights, while above the U.S. definition of space (50 miles or ~80 km), typically reach around 85\u201390 km \u2013 just shy of the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n line (Galactic 07, the final Unity flight, apogeed at 87.5 km <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=an%20altitude%20of%2044%2C562%20feet,63%20rolling%20out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>). This has led to some debate over bragging rights, but practically, both provide a few minutes of microgravity and a stunning Earth vista. Blue Origin\u2019s capsule being autonomous and parachute-landed means it doesn\u2019t require onboard pilots; Virgin\u2019s SpaceShipTwo is piloted, so customers fly with two pro pilots up front. Some space tourists may prefer the \u201crocket capsule\u201d ride for its pure ballistic thrill and higher altitude, while others like the idea of a winged spaceplane and runway takeoff\/landing that Virgin offers.<\/p>\n<p>Both companies have had successes and setbacks. Virgin Galactic actually reached space first (in 2018 with a test flight), but <strong>Blue Origin was first to offer regular commercial service<\/strong> in 2021. Virgin had a long pause after founder Richard Branson\u2019s July 2021 flight, to upgrade its systems. It resumed in mid-2023 and by mid-2024 had flown several commercial missions (Galactic 01, 02, 03\u2026 up to 07) including research for the Italian Air Force and private customer trips. The <strong>Galactic 07 mission in June 2024<\/strong> was the last using the <strong>VSS Unity<\/strong> vehicle, which Virgin Galactic has now retired <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Virgin%20Galactic%20launched%20six%20people,the%20VSS%20Unity%20space%20plane\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> in order to bring in a new generation of \u201cDelta class\u201d spaceplanes around 2026 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=dropped%20and%20ignited%20its%20rocket,63%20rolling%20out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> that promise higher frequency. Virgin aims to dramatically <strong>scale up to 125 flights per year by 2026<\/strong>, using multiple new ships, potentially flying <strong>750 people to space annually<\/strong> if all goes to plan <a href=\"https:\/\/universemagazine.com\/en\/virgin-galactic-promises-to-fly-more-often\/?srsltid=AfmBOopWc9lbzXXEMrNtIvgUr1MP_cf3y4m8iNgPLeI7ny6_5fmUkwQg&amp;utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Virgin%20Galactic%20promises%20to%20fly,taken%20to%20the%20edge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">universemagazine.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/avweb.com\/aviation-news\/virgin-galactic-retires-unity-plans-bigger-replacement\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Virgin%20Galactic%20Retires%20Unity%2C%20Plans,revenue%20of%20%24450%20million\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">avweb.com<\/a>. Blue Origin likewise has ambitions to increase frequency; their 2025 tempo of roughly one New Shepard flight per month is already outpacing Virgin\u2019s current rate. Each New Shepard booster could potentially fly dozens of times. The limiting factor might become how fast Blue Origin can process capsules and schedule customers, rather than any technical constraint.<\/p>\n<p>For now, <strong>suborbital tourism remains a rare adventure<\/strong> for the wealthy and adventurous. But the prices may gradually come down as flights become routine. Both Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic ultimately market these trips as not only thrills, but also as <strong>perspective-shifting journeys<\/strong> \u2013 hoping that a cadre of \u201castronauts\u201d return home inspired to support space exploration and protect our home planet. As more people have now been to space via these private flights than in all of the early NASA Mercury\/Gemini\/Apollo era, we are witnessing the start of a new industry.<\/p>\n<p>Looking Ahead: Blue Origin\u2019s Broader Space Ambitions<\/p>\n<p>While New Shepard grabs headlines with its tourist jaunts and student experiments, <strong>Blue Origin\u2019s aspirations go much further<\/strong>. Jeff Bezos founded the company with the vision of \u201cmillions of people living and working in space\u201d and a belief in using space to benefit Earth. To that end, Blue Origin is pouring resources into <strong>larger-scale projects<\/strong> that extend beyond suborbital hops.<\/p>\n<p>One major endeavor is the development of <strong>New Glenn<\/strong>, a gigantic orbital rocket named after John Glenn. New Glenn is a <strong>heavy-lift launch vehicle<\/strong> with a reusable first stage (powered by seven BE-4 engines) and an expendable upper stage. Standing 95 meters tall, it\u2019s in a different league than the small New Shepard. After years of development and some delays, Blue Origin appears to be on the cusp of launching New Glenn for the first time. In fact, industry reports suggest that <strong>the second New Glenn rocket launch is already lined up to carry a pair of NASA Mars science probes in late September 2025<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Launches%20%26%20Spacecraft%20Blue%20Origin%27s,29\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a>. (This implies the <strong>debut launch of New Glenn<\/strong> is expected around the same timeframe, possibly carrying other payloads such as Amazon\u2019s Project Kuiper internet satellites or commercial satellites \u2013 as Amazon is Bezos\u2019s company and a major customer for New Glenn.) If successful, New Glenn will catapult Blue Origin into direct competition with SpaceX and ULA in the orbital launch market, offering a rocket with a projected 45-ton payload capacity to low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin\u2019s ambitions don\u2019t stop at launch vehicles. In May 2023, <strong>NASA selected Blue Origin to develop a crewed lunar lander<\/strong> for the Artemis program\u2019s <strong>Artemis V mission<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2023-05-spacex-nasa-bezos-blue-moon.html?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=After%20SpaceX%2C%20NASA%20taps%20Bezos%27s,Moon%20set%20for%20November%202024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">phys.org<\/a>. This prestigious contract, worth $3.4 billion, tasks Blue Origin and its partners (Lockheed Martin, Draper, and others in the so-called \u201cNational Team\u201d) with building a <strong>second Moon lander<\/strong> variant (NASA already contracted SpaceX\u2019s Starship for the first Artemis III landing). Blue Origin\u2019s lander, an evolution of its <strong>Blue Moon<\/strong> design, will ferry astronauts from lunar orbit to the Moon\u2019s surface in the later 2020s. This marks a huge step up for the company \u2013 from 10-minute suborbital hops to enabling week-long astronaut stays on the Moon. In preparation, Blue Origin plans to leverage its <strong>New Glenn rocket to launch the lander and a refueling craft<\/strong> into space when the time comes <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2023-05-spacex-nasa-bezos-blue-moon.html?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20plans%20to%20use,lander%20and%20this%20refueling%20shuttle\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">phys.org<\/a>. The Artemis lander win was a big morale boost for Bezos\u2019s team after losing out to SpaceX for the first lander contract in 2021. It also signals NASA\u2019s confidence in Blue Origin as a serious human spaceflight player.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, Blue Origin has been working on <strong>space infrastructure projects<\/strong>. They\u2019ve proposed an orbital space station concept called <strong>Orbital Reef<\/strong>, in partnership with Sierra Space and Boeing, aiming to build a commercial space outpost by the early 2030s. And Blue Origin\u2019s <strong>engine division<\/strong> manufactures the <strong>BE-4 rocket engines<\/strong> not just for New Glenn but also for United Launch Alliance\u2019s new <strong>Vulcan Centaur<\/strong> rocket (which had its maiden flight in 2023). Supplying BE-4 engines to ULA ties Blue Origin into national security launches and NASA missions via Vulcan.<\/p>\n<p>However, scaling up has not been without growing pains. Reports emerged in late 2023 and 2024 that Blue Origin was undergoing leadership changes and even <strong>workforce reductions<\/strong>. Longtime CEO Bob Smith departed, and <strong>Dave Limp (former Amazon executive)<\/strong> took over as CEO in December 2023 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.exploremars.org\/h2m-speaker-david-limp\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=David%20Limp%20,of%20millions%20of%20people\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">exploremars.org<\/a>. Under Limp\u2019s leadership, Blue Origin has been focusing on streamlining operations and prioritizing projects with nearer-term payoffs. In early 2025, Blue Origin announced a <strong>10% reduction in staff (~1,000+ employees)<\/strong> to control costs and refocus on critical programs <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2025\/blue-origin-to-lay-off-10-of-workforce-read-memo-from-ceo-to-employees\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20to%20lay%20off,based%20company%27s%20CEO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">geekwire.com<\/a>. Limp framed it as a \u201cpainful but necessary\u201d step to ensure the company\u2019s long-term success in a competitive space industry <a href=\"https:\/\/www.geekwire.com\/2025\/blue-origin-to-lay-off-10-of-workforce-read-memo-from-ceo-to-employees\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,based%20company%27s%20CEO\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">geekwire.com<\/a>. Despite being backed by Bezos\u2019s wealth, Blue Origin faces pressure to deliver results, especially with SpaceX achieving rapid strides in launch cadence and Starship development.<\/p>\n<p>For now, <strong>New Shepard remains Blue Origin\u2019s only operational vehicle<\/strong>, and its continued success is important both financially and reputationally. Each tourist flight likely brings in a few million dollars in revenue. More importantly, New Shepard gives Blue Origin a <strong>testbed for technologies and a training ground for personnel<\/strong> as the company ventures toward bigger missions. For example, <strong>NS-29 in 2022 tested a lunar gravity simulation<\/strong> inside the capsule (spinning it briefly to create Moon-like gravity) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=This%20flight%20utilizes%20our%20dedicated,gravity%20simulation%20inside%20the%20capsule\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a> \u2013 experiments like that feed into the lunar lander program. The experience of rapidly refurbishing rockets and ensuring passenger safety on New Shepard will also inform Blue Origin\u2019s culture of safety as it prepares to fly astronauts to orbit or the Moon in the future.<\/p>\n<p>As we reflect on the NS-35 launch, it\u2019s clear that this \u201csmall step\u201d for Blue Origin is part of a larger journey. A <strong>10-minute suborbital flight carrying student science projects<\/strong> might seem modest compared to multi-day orbital missions or lunar landings. But these missions are <strong>building blocks<\/strong>. They inspire the public, excite the next generation (some of those TechRise students may become Blue Origin engineers or NASA scientists), and validate technologies one flight at a time. Each New Shepard flight is also a <strong>public demonstration of reusable rocketry<\/strong>, quietly normalizing the idea that rockets can launch and land routinely like airplanes \u2013 something that seemed like science fiction not long ago.<\/p>\n<p>In the immediate future, Blue Origin will likely alternate between <strong>research flights and tourist flights<\/strong> on New Shepard as demand dictates. We can expect <strong>NS-36 and beyond<\/strong> to carry more crews of six, including perhaps more celebrity guests or contest winners, as well as new sets of experiments from customers around the world. As launch cadence increases, maybe multi-launch weeks or even same-day re-flights could be a goal, further driving down cost per flight.<\/p>\n<p>For now, <strong>NS-35\u2019s triumph is worth celebrating<\/strong>. It demonstrated Blue Origin\u2019s resilience after technical setbacks and highlighted the enriching role of spaceflight in education and research. From middle-schoolers\u2019 science dreams to seasoned researchers\u2019 tech demos, all got a boost \u2013 literally \u2013 to space. And for Blue Origin, every successful mission, no matter how small, builds experience for tackling grander challenges. The <strong>road to space<\/strong> that Jeff Bezos often talks about is being laid mile by mile (or rather, launch by launch). As NS-35 shows, <strong>the journey is well underway<\/strong>, with New Shepard reliably ferrying both people and payloads across the final frontier in a burgeoning era of commercial space exploration <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20proud%20to%20have%20flown,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Sources:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Blue Origin \u2013 \u201cBlue Origin successfully completed its 35th New Shepard flight and 15th payload mission today\u2026 The flight carried more than 40 payloads\u2026 bringing the total number of science payloads flown on New Shepard to more than 200.\u201d (News release, Sep. 18, 2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20successfully%20completed%20its,Shepard%20to%20more%20than%20200\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CWe%E2%80%99re%20proud%20to%20have%20flown,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Space.com (Mike Wall) \u2013 \u201cBlue Origin launched its 35th New Shepard suborbital mission\u2026 at 9:01 a.m. EDT today (Sept. 18) after a nearly four-week delay\u2026 The uncrewed flight, known as NS-35, lifted off from Blue Origin\u2019s West Texas site\u2026 carried more than 40 scientific payloads including 24 from the NASA TechRise Student Challenge.\u201d (News article, Sep. 18, 2025) <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Blue%20Origin%20launched%20its%2035th,week%20delay\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=West%20Texas%20site%20at%209%3A01,local%20Texas%20time\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Space.com \u2013 \u201cFlights of New Shepard get above the K\u00e1rm\u00e1n Line \u2014 the widely recognized boundary where space begins, at 62 miles up (100 km) \u2014 and last 10 to 12 minutes from liftoff to capsule touchdown. After a successful launch, the booster descended for a safe landing ~2 miles downrange ~7.5 minutes after liftoff. The capsule\u2026 touched down at T+10:15.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20%20consists%20of,from%20liftoff%20to%20capsule%20touchdown\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Space.com \u2013 \u201cNS-35 was originally supposed to fly on Aug. 23, but Blue Origin stood down\u2026 to work an issue with the booster\u2019s avionics. The company tried again on Aug. 26 but scrubbed for the same reason.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=descended%20under%20parachutes%20for%20a,touchdown%20at%20T%2B10%3A15\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Blue Origin \u2013 \u201cThis was the 12th and final mission for the RSS H.G. Wells Crew Capsule\u2026 The vehicle will be utilized for non-flight test activities\u2026 before permanent display at a location to be determined.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blueorigin.com\/news\/new-shepard-ns-35-mission?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=This%20was%20the%2012th%20and,a%20location%20to%20be%20determined\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">blueorigin.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NASA Spaceflight (Haygen Warren) \u2013 \u201cBlue Origin finally launched its uncrewed NS-35 New Shepard mission on Thursday, Sept. 18\u2026 The booster that supported this mission is NS5, the newest New Shepard booster. NS5 made its fifth flight on NS-35 after an 81-day turnaround. The capsule\u2026 is the RSS H. G. Wells, which made its 12th flight into space\u2026 This mission marked Blue Origin\u2019s eighth mission of 2025 and New Shepard\u2019s 35th mission overall.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=match%20at%20L931%20The%20booster,and%20is%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s%20dedicated\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/2025\/09\/launch-roundup-091525\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#more-109369#:~:text=This%20mission%20marked%20Blue%20Origin%E2%80%99s,New%20Shepard%E2%80%99s%2035th%20mission%20overall\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasaspaceflight.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>NASA (Jim Reuter) \u2013 \u201cTechRise allows us to engage the Artemis generation and enables them to get real experience in the flight process from start to finish,\u201d said Jim Reuter, NASA Space Tech Mission Directorate, about the student flight challenge <a href=\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/centers-and-facilities\/armstrong\/nasa-techrise-student-experiments-count-down-to-flight\/?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=%E2%80%9CTechRise%20allows%20us%20to%20engage,%E2%80%9D\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">nasa.gov<\/a>.<\/li>\n<li>FAA Statement \u2013 \u201cThe proximate cause of the Sept. 12, 2022, mishap [NS-23] was the structural failure of an engine nozzle caused by higher than expected engine operating temperatures\u2026 The onboard systems triggered an abort and separation of the capsule\u2026 The capsule landed safely and the propulsion module was destroyed\u2026 Blue Origin must implement all corrective actions\u2026 prior to the next New Shepard launch.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=The%20FAA%20has%20closed%20the,as%20well%20as%20organizational%20changes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.faa.gov\/newsroom\/faa-closes-blue-origin-mishap-investigation?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=During%20the%20mishap%20the%20onboard,injuries%20or%20public%20property%20damage\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">faa.gov<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Spaceconnect (Australia) \u2013 \u201cAmong the payloads are 24 student experiments through NASA\u2019s TechRise\u2026 Projects include investigations into space farming, medical technologies and fluid behaviour in microgravity\u2026 Other mission highlights include: A.R.E.S. (chemical coatings in microgravity using 432 sensors)\u2026 Biological Imaging (U. of Florida, ISS tech to understand biological responses)\u2026 Propellant Refueling (Carthage College, measuring fuel levels for in-space refueling)\u2026 EDR Fuel Cell (Teledyne, testing hydrogen-oxygen fuel cell for Moon\/Mars missions)\u2026 Teachers in Space (experiments on radiation, sound, etc. by teachers and students)\u2026 The mission will fly aboard the dedicated payload capsule RSS H.G. Wells, paired with the newest New Shepard booster\u2026 the same combo that flew on NS-29 and demonstrated lunar gravity simulation.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceconnectonline.com.au\/launch\/6678-blue-origin-to-launch-35th-new-shepard-mission-with-student-and-research-payloads?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Among%20the%20payloads%20are%2024,and%20fluid%20behaviour%20in%20microgravity\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">spaceconnectonline.com.au<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.spaceconnectonline.com.au\/launch\/6678-blue-origin-to-launch-35th-new-shepard-mission-with-student-and-research-payloads?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=,to%20the%20moon%20and%20Mars\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">spaceconnectonline.com.au<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Space.com (Meredith Garofalo) \u2013 \u201cVirgin Galactic launched six people to suborbital space on Saturday (June 8) on what was the final voyage of the VSS Unity space plane\u2026 attached to its carrier plane Eve\u2026 dropped and ignited its rocket engine\u2026 reached an altitude of 54.4 miles (87.5 km)\u2026 marking the seventh commercial spaceflight by Virgin Galactic on Unity, which is being retired to make way for the new \u2018Delta\u2019 class of spacecraft in 2026.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=Virgin%20Galactic%20launched%20six%20people,the%20VSS%20Unity%20space%20plane\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/virgin-galactic-07-final-vss-unity-commercial-spaceflight?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=an%20altitude%20of%2044%2C562%20feet,63%20rolling%20out%20in%202026\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Space.com \u2013 \u201cNew Shepard also conducts crewed flights; indeed, 14 of its 34 missions to date have carried people\u2026 The most recent such jaunt, NS-34, launched crypto billionaire Justin Sun and five others on Aug. 3. Blue Origin has also flown a number of celebrities, including singer Katy Perry and \u2018Star Trek\u2019 actor William Shatner.\u201d <a href=\"https:\/\/www.space.com\/space-exploration\/launches-spacecraft\/blue-origin-new-shepard-ns-35-suborbital-launch?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=New%20Shepard%20also%20conducts%20crewed,people%20to%20the%20final%20frontier\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">space.com<\/a><\/li>\n<li>Phys.org (AFP) \u2013 \u201cNASA picks Bezos\u2019 Blue Origin to build lunar landers for moonwalkers\u201d (headline, May 19, 2023) <a href=\"https:\/\/phys.org\/news\/2023-05-spacex-nasa-bezos-blue-moon.html?utm_source=ts2.tech#:~:text=After%20SpaceX%2C%20NASA%20taps%20Bezos%27s,Moon%20set%20for%20November%202024\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\">phys.org<\/a>, referring to NASA\u2019s selection of Blue Origin for the Artemis V Moon lander contract (a $3.4B award).<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<p>LIFTOFF! Blue Origin NS-35 Cargo Launch<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Successful Launch After Delay: Blue Origin launched its 35th New Shepard suborbital mission (NS-35) on Sept. 18, 2025,&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":75548,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[270],"tags":[2965,18,19,17,51311,44045,133,51312,451,17563],"class_list":{"0":"post-75547","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-space","8":"tag-blue-origin","9":"tag-eire","10":"tag-ie","11":"tag-ireland","12":"tag-new-shepard","13":"tag-rocket-launch","14":"tag-science","15":"tag-scientific-experiments","16":"tag-space","17":"tag-spaceflight"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75547","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=75547"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/75547\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/75548"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=75547"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=75547"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=75547"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}