Bezos to Embark on Space Voyage inPersonally Developed Spacecraft
Casper the Friendly Spacecraft Makes History
Jeff Bezos, the man who revolutionized online shopping, is set to embark on a completely different journey – outer space!bezos-space-travel On July 20, he'll board "Casper", Blue Origin's reusable spacecraft, developed for suborbital travel. Joining him will be his brother, Mark Bezos.
Casper, named after the first American astronaut, Alan Shepard, has been Blue Origin's flagship since its inception. This will mark Casper's first manned flight, and Jeff's lifelong dream of space travel, which he dreamt of at age five, comes true.
With a nod to the past and an eye on the future, Blue Origin is also working on a more ambitious project – the New Glenn heavy-lift reusable space rocket. The launcher, conceptually similar to SpaceX's iconic Falcon 9, is scheduled to take flight in 2022, though delays are inevitable.
Before the glamour of manned missions, Casper underwent 15 test launches, all uncrewed, and proven successful or partially successful. The latest test flight was on April 14. Each mission follows an 11-minute trajectory, offering approximately 4 minutes of weightlessness before landing via parachute. The booster, too, returns for reuse after landing vertically near the West Texas launch site.
In a bold stride, Casper is set to carry an all-star crew – Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark, Wally Funk (a pioneer from the Mercury 13 program), and Oliver Daemen (replacing an anonymous auction winner). This groundbreaking mission will lift off on July 20. In the near future, Casper may pave the way for more ambitious missions, marking a significant step forward for Blue Origin and the space industry.
As for the future, Blue Origin is focused on the New Glenn project, an orbital spacecraft that aims to launch payloads and eventually crew. The first National Security Space Launch contract for New Glenn was secured in 2024. The journey from suborbital tourism to orbital logistics positions Blue Origin to play a significant role in both the civilian and defense sectors of space travel.
- Jeff Bezos, known for revolutionizing online shopping, is preparing to venture into a new realm - space travel - on July 20, 2022, aboard the reusable spacecraft named Casper, developed by Blue Origin for suborbital travel.
- Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut, shares the name with Casper, Blue Origin's flagship spacecraft, which is set to embark on its first manned flight on July 20, 2022.
- Blue Origin's New Glenn heavy-lift reusable space rocket, conceptually similar to SpaceX's Falcon 9, is scheduled to launch in 2022; however, delays are inevitable.
- Upon its return from space, the reusable booster of Casper lands vertically near the West Texas launch site, much like the parachutes used to ensure a safe landing.
