Just happened! NASA cancelled Blue Origin because of it’s engine problems!

Summary

Blue Origin's recent engine failure during a September 2022 mission with its New Shepard rocket has raised significant concerns. Although the capsule's safety systems worked flawlessly, ensuring no harm to the payload, the rocket was destroyed. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is investigating the incident, grounding the New Shepard program until answers are found. The setback comes as Blue Origin faces delays on other projects, including the New Glenn booster. This failure could impact the company's reputation and the future of private space travel, as the space tourism industry looks to companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX to make space accessible.

Takeaways

• 😀 Blue Origin's recent engine failure caused a significant setback for the company, affecting its reputation and future projects.
• 🚀 SpaceX's 150 successful launches are being compared to Blue Origin's failure, highlighting the challenges in space exploration.
• 🛸 The Blue Origin failure occurred during a September 12, 2022 launch of the New Shepard booster with a non-crew payload.
• 💥 The malfunction happened just over a minute into the flight when the rocket crossed 30,000 feet in altitude.
• 🛑 The failure caused the rocket booster to be destroyed, but the capsule was safely ejected and landed on Earth with no crew on board.
• 🔧 The failure of the booster was related to Blue Origin's BE-3PM engine, though the exact cause is still under investigation.
• 👨‍🚀 The capsule's emergency abort system performed effectively, ensuring the safety of any potential crew members aboard.
• ⚖️ The FAA grounded the New Shepard spacecraft until the investigation is completed to understand the cause of the failure.
• 📅 Blue Origin's executives have not yet concluded what caused the malfunction and have emphasized that the capsule's safety systems are reliable.
• 🚀 Despite the failure, Blue Origin continues to work on the New Glenn booster, an upgrade with a BE-3U engine, expected to launch next year.
• 💼 Space agencies like Blue Origin and SpaceX depend on government contracts to maintain their operations, and failures like this can damage their market standing.

Q & A

What caused the failure during Blue Origin's September 12, 2022 mission?

The failure occurred one minute and four seconds into the flight when the rocket crossed 30,000 feet altitude. The booster malfunctioned, and the capsule detached from the rocket. While the capsule's safety systems functioned well, the booster was destroyed in the incident.

How did Blue Origin's capsule respond during the failure?

The capsule's emergency abort system was triggered on time, and the capsule was safely propelled away from the rocket. It deployed its parachutes and landed safely in West Texas.

What is the role of the new Shepard booster in the mission?

The new Shepard booster is designed to propel the capsule into space and then return to Earth after completing its part of the mission. It is reusable, similar to SpaceX's rockets.

Was the failure a complete loss for Blue Origin?

While the booster was destroyed, the capsule's safety systems worked as intended, and no lives were lost. The failure did not cause any public property damage, but it raised concerns about the company's reputation.

What has the FAA done in response to the incident?

The FAA has launched an investigation into the failure and grounded the new Shepard rocket until the cause of the failure is determined. They are awaiting Blue Origin's report on the incident.

What happened to Blue Origin's new Shepard program after the failure?

The new Shepard program has been grounded, and no further flights will occur until the FAA investigation is completed and the cause of the failure is identified. This has delayed future missions for Blue Origin.

How does the Blue Origin failure compare to SpaceX's performance?

SpaceX has achieved 150 successful launches in a row, highlighting its strong track record in comparison to Blue Origin's setback with the new Shepard booster.

What is the new Glenn booster, and how does it relate to Blue Origin's future plans?

The new Glenn booster is Blue Origin's next-generation rocket, using the upgraded BE3U engine. It is a major project for Blue Origin, which aims to launch it by next year as part of their long-term plans to advance space travel.

Why is Blue Origin's success in space missions critical for the company?

Blue Origin's long-term goal is to make space travel accessible for humans, especially in suborbital flights. Their success is vital not only for their reputation but also for securing contracts with military and research sectors to sustain cash flow.

How has the new Shepard failure affected Blue Origin's standing in the space tourism industry?

The failure has raised concerns about Blue Origin's reliability and could negatively affect its reputation in the space tourism industry. Such setbacks can impact public confidence and hinder future growth in this competitive market.