Blue Origin has launched its third New Shepard rocket despite postponing it twice earlier in the day.
Blue Origin announced that the rocket would once again have aboard a crash dummy, namely Mannequin Skywalker, which is tasked with gathering data and conducting research.
The payload was earlier reported to include a sensor suite, namely the Schmitt Space Communicator, to analyze the pressure noise, and environmental data in the capsule, while providing WiFi to commercial space travelers, as well as facilitate a slew of scientific experiments.
Launch preparations are underway for New Shepard’s 8th test flight, as we continue our progress toward human spaceflight. Currently targeting Sunday 4/29 with launch window opening up at 830am CDT. Livestream info to come. @BlueOrigin #GradatimFerociter pic.twitter.com/zAYpAGWB8C
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) 27 апреля 2018 г.
In an ambitious project, the New Shepherd rocket is designed to eventually bring passengers into space, taking them on an 11-minute flight in a capsule that will land back on Earth with the help of parachutes. The booster, which was used in previous test flights, descends with a powered landing.