Blue Origin

[Eric Mc]

They just mentioned it - although, being Americans, they called them turtles.

[Beati Dogu]

Here's a close up of the capsule door.



It's probably a Texas tortoise, although he doesn't say.

[Eric Mc]

They rewound to T-14 minutes and restarted the countdown.

[Eric Mc]

And another hold. Not looking good I have to say.

[Beati Dogu]

O ye of little faith.

IIRC If the rocket lands OK they'll retire it and put it on display.

[anonymous-user]

Nicely done!

[Eric Mc]

That was spectacular. Over to you Elon - your turn next.

[MartG]

I'd say that was a pretty successful test !

[Beati Dogu]

Awesome. Congratulations Blue Origin!

[moleamol]

Is it just me or did the capsule boosters not fire? Still a success but I thought they slowed the last bit?

[anonymous-user]

moleamol said:

Is it just me or did the capsule boosters not fire? Still a success but I thought they slowed the last bit?

They never look like they fire as it's such a last second thing.

[Eric Mc]

moleamol said:

Is it just me or did the capsule boosters not fire? Still a success but I thought they slowed the last bit?

The escape boosters fired exactly as planned. Did you not see the thing accelerate away from the rocket?
The landing rockets on the capsule also fired exactly as they should - just that split second before impacting the desert floor.

Soyuz uses a tractor rocket system to pull the spacecraft away from an errant booster.

However, Soyuz also uses small retro rockets on the base of the capsule as a braking device just before touchdown.

[dodgyviper]

Impressive stuff.

[Beati Dogu]

The moment of separation:

https://vine.co/v/56lBWlWJi7A

[MartG]

If they do the same as on previous flights, there should be some onboard video to come

[Caruso]

I'm impressed how stable the booster stage remained during the separation.

[RobDickinson]

Capsule seemed to be all over the place but that looks pretty standard , it all looked safe enough. Good test.

now build a proper sized rocked.

[Beati Dogu]

It probably wouldn't have been much fun to be onboard the capsule, but all 6 would have walked away in the end.

Probably covered in puke, but still.



In other news, Clay Mowry, who has been head of Arianespace in the US for the last 15 years is leaving to join Blue Origin.

Clearly they're stepping up their business.

[moleamol]

Eric Mc said:

The landing rockets on the capsule also fired exactly as they should - just that split second before impacting the desert floor.

It was just those that I didn't see, the rest was pretty obvious.

[Eric Mc]

They fire so close to the ground that you don't get to see them. All you do see is a large puff of dust.

If you watch a Soyuz touching down, you will see something very similar.