NS-2
New Shepard
Blue Origin
Mission
NS-2
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Suborbital
The first flight of the New Shepard 2 booster. The capsule reached an apogee of 100.5 kilometers.
Location
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch
Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA
West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch has witnessed the launch of 38 rockets, including 0 orbital launch attempts. While Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA, has been the site for 38 rocket launches.
Corn Ranch, commonly referred to as Launch Site One (LSO), is a spaceport owned and operated by Blue Origin which is located approximately 30 miles north of the town of Van Horn, Texas, United States.
Rocket
Blue Origin New Shepard
The New Shepard reusable launch system is a vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing (VTVL), suborbital manned rocket that is being developed by Blue Origin as a commercial system for suborbital space tourism.
Landing
Core NS-2
The New Shepard 2 booster successfully landed for the first time at Corn Ranch. Booster NS-2 last launched 10/05/2016 and has seen 5 successful launches and landings. The New Shepard 2 or NS2, made five successful flights in 2015 and 2016, being retired after its fifth flight in October 2016. It was the first booster which Blue Origin successfully landed and reused.
A sonic boom is likely to occur a few minutes after launch as the booster returns to the launch site. Be prepared for a loud but thrilling experience! Learn more about rocket launch sonic booms
Corn Ranch Landing Pad, West Texas - CR
New Shepard landing site.
Return to Launch Site - RTLS
A return to launch site usually means that after stage separation the booster flips and does a burn back towards the launch site, landing near where it initially launched from.
Agency
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an American privately funded aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company set up by Amazon.com founder Jeff Bezos with its headquarters in Kent, Washington. The company is developing technologies to enable private human access to space with the goal to dramatically lower costs and increase reliability. Blue Origin currently launches its New Shepard sub-orbital vehicle from its West Texas launch site, they are currently constructing a launch pad for their orbital vehicle New Glenn at Cape Canaveral LC-36.
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the New Shepard launch scheduled?
The Blue Origin New Shepard launch carrying the NS-2 mission was scheduled for:
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Where did the New Shepard launch from?
The Blue Origin New Shepard rocket launched from West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch at Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA. Corn Ranch, commonly referred to as Launch Site One (LSO), is a spaceport owned and operated by Blue Origin which is located approximately 30 miles north of the town of Van Horn, Texas, United States.
What rocket was used for the NS-2 mission?
The NS-2 mission launched aboard a Blue Origin New Shepard rocket. The New Shepard reusable launch system is a vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing (VTVL), suborbital manned rocket that is being developed by Blue Origin as a commercial system for suborbital space tourism. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
Did the New Shepard booster attempt a landing?
Yes, the New Shepard first stage booster attempted a Return to Launch Site at a designated landing zone. Booster recovery allows Blue Origin to reuse rocket components, significantly reducing launch costs. Learn more about the landing details.
What weather conditions could have delayed this launch?
The New Shepard launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the launch is delayed?
This page is updated in real-time with the latest launch status, including any delays or scrubs. You can also check our space launch schedule for the most current information. Enable push notifications through our mobile app to receive instant alerts about launch status changes, weather holds, or new launch times. We recommend following official live streams for the most immediate range updates.
