Monday, April 4, 2016

Blue Origin Launches Reusable Rocket Into Space

Blue Origin, the commercial rocket firm backed by Amazon's Jeff Bezos, has successfully launched its New Shephard rocket into space, and returned the craft successfully back to earth, in its third test. According to Bezos and the company, the New Shephard's flight on Saturday reached 339,178 feet or 103 kilometers. 100 kilometer is considered the edge of the earth's atmosphere and space. The rocket was launched from Blue Origin's West Texas launch facility, and both the rocket and the unmanned crew capsule for the rocket returned to earth, the capsule via parachutes, and the rocket via a powered landing.

---