Blue Origin New Shepard Mission Launch 19 Dec. 2023
Summary
TLDRNew Shepard's 24th flight successfully launched from West Texas, showcasing the BE-3 engine's power and the vehicle's ascent to space. The mission featured microgravity experiments, aerodynamic control during re-entry, and a precise landing. The reusable propulsion module demonstrated operational reusability with a feathered thrust landing, inspiring future space exploration and inviting viewers to join the journey.
Takeaways
- 🚀 Liftoff: The script describes the launch of New Shepard, a spacecraft, with the BE-3 engine providing 100% power.
- 📈 Max Q: The spacecraft experiences maximum aerodynamic stress during the Max Q phase, where the engine throttles back temporarily.
- 🔝 Altitude Gain: New Shepard climbs to an altitude of 145,000 ft before the main engine cuts off.
- 🔄 Vehicle Separation: The crew capsule separates from the booster, entering a phase of microgravity, crucial for scientific experiments.
- 🧪 Microgravity Science: The script highlights the importance of microgravity for various experiments, including fluid physics and gene expression in plants and cells.
- 🌌 Stunning Views: The video provides a view of the Earth from space, showcasing the unique perspective of the mission.
- 🛬 Re-entry and Landing: The booster and crew capsule return to Earth, with the booster demonstrating reusability through a controlled landing.
- 🔄 Reusability: The booster's successful landing marks its ninth flight, emphasizing the operational reusability of the system.
- 🛰️ Aerodynamics: The use of aerodynamic control surfaces, such as air brakes and forward fins, is crucial for slowing down and steering the spacecraft during re-entry.
- 🌟 Sonic Boom: The script mentions the possibility of hearing a sonic boom as the spacecraft breaks the sound barrier during re-entry.
- 🎉 Successful Touchdown: Both the booster and the crew capsule land safely in West Texas, with the booster showcasing a 'hovering land' technique.
Q & A
What is the primary engine used in the New Shepard vehicle?
-The primary engine used in the New Shepard vehicle is the BE-3 engine, which provides 100% power level during the ascent.
At what point during the launch does the BE-3 engine throttle back?
-The BE-3 engine throttles back when the vehicle approaches Max Q, which is the point where aerodynamic stress on the vehicle is at its maximum.
What does Max Q represent in the context of the launch?
-Max Q represents the point during the launch where the dynamic pressure, and thus the aerodynamic stress on the vehicle, is at its peak.
How is the vehicle's velocity indicated during the ascent?
-The vehicle's velocity is indicated by a velocity ticker on the left side of the screen, which shows an increase as the vehicle gains altitude and the air gets thinner.
What is the significance of the propulsion module moving away from Earth?
-The propulsion module moving away from Earth signifies the separation of the propulsion module from the crew capsule, which is a crucial step in the mission before entering the microgravity phase.
What phase of the mission does the vehicle enter after the separation of the propulsion module and the crew capsule?
-After the separation, the vehicle enters the phase of microgravity, where most of the scientific payloads conduct their experiments in a free-fall environment.
How does the absence of gravity affect the behavior of fluids in space?
-In the absence of gravity, fluid behavior is dominated by surface tension rather than gravity, leading to different patterns of capillary action and fluid flow.
What is the purpose of the drag brakes during the vehicle's descent?
-The drag brakes are deployed to slow down the vehicle by increasing the surface area exposed to the atmosphere, similar to the function of air brakes on a shuttle or aircraft.
What is the purpose of the forward fins on the propulsion module?
-The forward fins on the propulsion module are deployed to help steer the booster as it re-enters the atmosphere and guides it towards the landing pad.
How does the BE-3 engine assist with the booster's landing?
-The BE-3 engine is relit at low altitude, providing the necessary thrust to slow down the booster for a controlled, hovering landing.
What is the role of the main parachutes during the crew capsule's descent?
-The main parachutes are deployed to slow the crew capsule's descent, reducing its velocity to a safe speed for a gentle touchdown.
What additional system is used to ensure a smooth landing for the crew capsule?
-A retro thrust system is used in conjunction with the parachutes to further reduce the landing speed and create a cushion of air for a soft landing.
What is the significance of the booster's successful landing and reusability?
-The successful landing and reusability of the booster demonstrate the operational efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the New Shepard system, as it can be launched multiple times.
Outlines
🚀 New Shepard's Ascent and Mission Milestones
The script describes the launch sequence of New Shepard, a spacecraft designed for suborbital space tourism. The mission begins with liftoff, confirmed by Mission Control, and the spacecraft ascends, gaining speed and altitude. The B3 engine operates at full power, throttling back during Max Q, the point of maximum aerodynamic stress. Post-Max Q, the engine returns to full power, and the spacecraft accelerates as the atmosphere thins. The script mentions the separation of the propulsion module and the entry into microgravity, where scientific experiments can be conducted. The mission's next phase involves the main engine cut off and vehicle separation, leading to a coast through microgravity, allowing for unique scientific insights into fluid dynamics and gene expression in the absence of gravity.
🛰️ Re-entry and Landing of New Shepard
This paragraph details the re-entry and landing process of New Shepard. As the spacecraft re-enters the thicker atmosphere, aerodynamic control surfaces, including air brakes, are deployed to slow down the vehicle. The script discusses the critical role of these air brakes in reducing velocity and preparing for landing. It also describes the deployment of forward fins on the propulsion module and the booster's re-entry at high speed, pulling multiple G-forces. The booster's successful landing is highlighted, showcasing the reusability of the system. The script concludes with the crew capsule's descent, the deployment of main parachutes, and the use of a retro thrust system for a smooth landing, emphasizing the successful completion of the mission.
🎉 Successful Mission Completion and Future Opportunities
The final paragraph celebrates the successful completion of New Shepard's 24th flight, highlighting the journey of the crew capsule and its payloads, which included science and education projects, particularly those designed by students. The script thanks the customers and sponsors, such as MIT and NASA, for their contributions to the mission. It provides a recap of the mission's key events, including the nominal boost, hypergravity phase, microgravity experimentation, and the nominal landing of both vehicles. The script ends with an invitation for viewers to join the team at Blue Origin, mentioning job opportunities and the option to purchase a seat on New Shepard for future flights.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡BE-3 Engine
💡Max Q
💡Mean Sea Level (MSL)
💡Microgravity
💡Aerobraking
💡Aerocapture
💡Drag Brakes
💡Retro Thrust System
💡Aerodynamic Control Surfaces
💡Parachutes
💡Reusability
Highlights
Liftoff of the New Shepard spacecraft, confirming successful launch from Mission Control.
New Shepard clears the tower and begins its ascent to space.
The BE-3 engine operates at 100% power level during the initial ascent.
Approaching Max Q, the point of maximum aerodynamic stress, with the BE-3 engine throttling back temporarily.
Post Max Q, the BE-3 engine throttles back up to full power as the atmosphere thins.
Vehicle separation occurs just over 2 minutes into the boost, reaching approximately 2200 mph.
Entering microgravity phase, enabling science payloads to conduct experiments in free fall.
Discussion on the importance of fluid physics in microgravity and its applications.
The capsule reaches its maximum altitude of 351,000 feet before beginning its descent.
Deployment of air brakes to slow the vehicle down during re-entry.
Use of aerodynamic control surfaces to guide the vehicle towards the landing pad.
The booster's successful re-entry at Mach 3 and pulling about 5 Gs.
Be-3 engine relight at 2,000 ft. for a controlled descent to the landing pad.
Landing gear deployment and booster touchdown, showcasing the reusability of the system.
Crew capsule's final descent with main parachutes deployed for a gentle landing.
Retro thrust system activation for a smooth landing of the crew capsule.
Successful landing of the 24th flight for New Shepard, with a focus on science and education payloads.
Invitation to join Blue Origin's team and information on available positions.
Details on how to purchase a seat on New Shepard for future flights.
Recap of the mission's success and anticipation for the next crewed flight.
Transcripts
we have is of our be3
engine and
liftoff Mission Control confirms that
new Shephard has cleared the tower and
is headed to space you can see on the
lower left side of your screen that
we're gaining speed as new Shepherd
gains altitude the atmosphere gets
thinner the graph on the left shows
vehicle asent now we actually started at
about 3700 ft MSL that's how far above
mean sea level we are at launch site one
how exciting Erica a great shot there of
the PM the propulsion module moving away
from Earth that be3 engine providing
100% power level and here shortly we
will approach Max Q this again is the
point where aerodynamic stress on the
vehicle is at its maximum so the B3
engine will throttle back for a little
bit as we Pierce through the
atmosphere
now that we've passed Max Q be3 will
begin to throttle back up to 100% power
level we'll see that velocity Ticker on
the left of your screen start to
increase more rapidly as the air gets
thinner new Shepherd is moving faster
and faster absolutely you can also see
that engine plume start to expand as we
get into into that thinner High upper
atmosphere such a cool shot
there so just over 2 minutes of boost
for the be3 engine before we reach the
next stage of our mission Mo main engine
cut off that will be the next Milestone
we'll
see
new Shepard continues to climb 145,000
ft there it is main engine cut off just
over 2200 milph and soon vehicle
separation always love seeing us Coast
through
Mo now when the vehicles separate in the
crew capsule from the booster uh we're
going to be entering that phase of
microgravity and you can see that Zerg
indicator at the bottom of your screen
this is really where most of our
payloads are getting into the core of
their science Mission oh what a
fantastic view all sorts of cool
experiments here enabled in microgravity
in freef Fall items don't sink or float
hot air doesn't rise plants and cells
respond to this novel stimulus with
different patterns of gene expression
which gives us new insights for
agricultural Technologies and Medicine
yeah we talked earlier about the
importance of fluid physics because
fluid flow on the ground dominated by
gravity the liquid at the bottom of your
cup but in space it's dominated by
surface tension which leads to all sorts
of cool effects with capillary action uh
and these effects are relevant for
everything from drinking coffee to
refueling satellites to the
microfluidics in your medical
Diagnostics incredible and I'm sure the
payloads are are enjoying all of the
clean very clean microgravity data that
they're collecting at this
time and loving that view back down on
the clouds over West Texas now if you
watch that Ticker on the lower left
corner you see we are slowly counting
down in our velocity to zero that's the
vertical velocity of the system and when
we reach zero that's when we've reached
apogee
and fantastic capsule pausing in its
upward Journey just momentarily apig for
the capsulle at
351,000 tion module returning back to
the west Texas
desert so as we come back down and the
atmosphere begins to get thicker again
we start to have the ability to use our
aerodynamic control surfaces uh what
you'll be seeing next is the air brakes
deploying this is a critical step in
slowing the vehicle down increasing the
surface area just like a bad mitton
shuttle coock or something that's uh
helping you to come down through the
through the upper atmosphere we're going
to see that the velocity starts to
decrease with those air brakes out in
fact the drag brakes should cut the
Velocity in about half so we'll be
looking for that uh picking up hopefully
with the cameras the long range cameras
and seeing those drag brakes deploy as
the propulsion module cuts through the
atmosphere those are the forward fins
deploying there on the right a great
view looking up from the propulsion
module into space and seeing those
forward fins
deploying you can see the capsule
passing by just there on the right hand
screen well above the booster at this
altitude what a great video shot I love
seeing this those are experiments our
customers today getting their
microgravity data
in so that booster coming in at about
Mach 3 uh pulling at about five GS as it
re-enters the atmosphere so we're going
to be seeing that that velocity decrease
rapidly at this
point and this is one of my favorite
parts of observing a mission from West
Texas those are the drag breakes there
they are
deployed and we see those Ain steering
the booster Over The Landing
Pad yeah if you're in West Texas you may
be hearing a sonic boom uh coming up
here as we break through the sound
barrier be3 engine relight just 2,000 ft
to grow before The Landing
Pad landing gear
deploying love that shot I can't tell
you how many people have told us they
thought that this looks like uh CGI but
indeed one of these most beautiful shots
in the west Texas desert and we have
booster touchdown congratulations new
Shephard propulsion module and the be3
engine for providing just the right
feathered thrust to come in for the nice
hovering land and again that's the ninth
flight for this booster really showing
the the operational reusability of this
system and how many times we can get
back to space well Erica we've just
safely landed the booster now we're
about to watch the crew capsule make its
final descent back to the west Texas
desert in parallel the team will vent
the propellants any remaining
propellants from the propulsion module
and begin safe recovery operations so
that we can prepare it for its next
mission well these shots are incredible
we've got the Sierra Diablo mountains in
the background um some yakas and some
choas and of course a world class
propulsion module booster on a landing
pad this is awesome yeah it's a
pleasantly toasty marshmallow having
come right back from space I absolutely
love being out in the desert and just
standing next to a rocket that just that
morning flew up to space and back
absolutely amazing and the thermal
protection system oh there we go we've
got main parachutes three main
parachutes on the crew capsule as it
makes its descent back from space to
Earth those parachutes reefed when
they're first uh let out and then
expanding to their full diameter now the
parachutes are essential in providing a
gentle touchdown for the crew capsule
but we also have a retro thrust system
on the bottom of the capsule that makes
that Landing even smoother so as we're
coming down nice slow velocity right
around 1,600 ft we're going to be
looking for that retro thrust system as
we get closer to the desert floor and
Erica this retro thrust system is
effectively high pressure gas um that is
fired off to make a cushion of air uh
soft Landing for the crew capsule but it
kicks up some
dust
such gorgeous scenery such a gorgeous
crew capsule and again there's
parachutes doing their job taking us
down to just about 15 miles per hour the
Retro thrust system will take us down to
just one or two miles an hour as we get
down to the the base of the desert
floor
there it is TouchDown for ns24 and our
33 customers and
38,000 postcards what a journey special
thank you to all of our customers flying
important science and education on board
today especially to all the students who
designed and built experiments want to
shout out uh to our friends out at MIT
the University of Central Florida ps15
in Brooklyn aiaa asgsr our sponsors at
Nasa so many cool things going on on
board today on board today there on the
capsule yeah no you inspire us every day
thank you for being our customers if we
could just do a quick recap here Erica
looked like a nominal boost for the
propulsion module and crew capsule
combined some hypergravity there for our
payloads and then a clean separation
over 180 seconds of clean microgravity
for our payload customers and two
vehicles appearing to land nominally
here back in West Texas I would call
this the best day uh at work for me this
is awesome always love launch days Eddie
just it brings a smile to everybody's
face um if what you saw here today
inspired you please come help us build a
road to space we have hundreds of
positions open across all our facilities
and have a particular need for
machinists and programmers in Florida
and Alabama please visit our website for
more details and of course if you'd like
to purchase a seat on new Shepard you
can go to Blue origin.com click the fly
to space button in the upper right hand
corner following a thorough review of
today's Mission we look forward to
Flying our next crude flight soon my
name is Erica Wagner for Salt Flat Eddie
and everybody here at Blue origin thanks
for tuning in to new Shepard's 24th
Flight happy holidays and gradam
focer
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