Would Be The First Since 2016

The FAA has issued a NOTAM restricting flight near Blue Origin's west Texas launch facility in anticipation of a New Shepard flight test this week.

GeekWire reports that the launch window would be open Monday through Thursday from 0630 to 1300 PT each day. If it goes off, the flight would be the first test of a New Shepard booster since October, 2016.

The previous booster, along with the mockup crew capsule, flew five times and was retired. The booster was on display at AirVenture last July. After the flight last October, the Blue Origin team began building the next generation New Shepard system. This version is said to be closer to the design that will carry passengers on suborbital flights as early as next year. The latest crew capsule prototype has actual windows in place of the painted-on viewports on the previous variant. However, no manned test flights have been conducted, and Blue Origin has not announced any timeline or cost for such revenue flights. Nor has it begun taking reservations.

Blue Origin told GeekWire that while the launch was planned this week, there was no guarantee that it would be carried out. If it does launch, the company would not say whether the event would be webcast, as has been done with the previous several launches.

Blue Origin is also working on a next-generation BE-4 rocket engine, as well as the New Glenn orbital class launch vehicle. Long-range plans include manned missions to the moon.

(Image from file)

FMI: Original Report, www.blueorigin.com