NEWS – Blue Origin’s NS25 completed its 25th flight for the New Shepard program, marking its seventh human spaceflight

HIGHLIGHT

• NS-25 Mission:
  • Blue Origin’s seventh human flight.
  • 25th mission of the New Shepard programme.
  • Launched from Launch Site One in West Texas.
  • 31 humans flown above the Karman line (internationally recognised boundary of space 62 miles (100 km) above Earth) by the programme.
• Flight Details
  • Reusable Technology:
    • New Shepard is a fully reusable sub-orbital launch vehicle.
    • Reuses nearly 99% of its dry mass including booster, capsule, engine, landing gear, and parachutes.
  • Environmental Considerations:
    • Engine uses liquid oxygen and hydrogen.
    • Only byproduct is water vapour, with no carbon emissions.
  • Educational Impact:
    • Each astronaut carried a postcard to space for Blue Origin’s foundation, Club for the Future.
    • Initiative aimed at inspiring students to pursue careers in STEAM (science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics).

CREW MEMBERS

• Gopi Thotakura
  • Born in Andhra Pradesh, India.
  • Graduate of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • Entrepreneur and pilot, became the first Indian space tourist
  • Co-founder of Preserve Life Corp.
  • Extensive experience in various types of aviation.
• Mason Angel
• Sylvain Chiron
• Kenneth L. Hess
• Carol Schaller
• Ed Dwight, former Air Force Captain and first Black astronaut candidate selected by President John F. Kennedy.