![\"Blue](\"https:\/\/wp-assets.futurism.com\/2018\/07\/new-shepard-rocket-blue-origin-emergency-test-300x158.png\")
<\/div>NAILED IT.<\/strong> Wednesday morning, Blue Origin launched a capsule<\/a>-carrying New Shepard rocket from its facility in West Texas. The goal: to test the altitude escape motor<\/a>, the motor that would engage if astronauts needed to make a fast getaway due to some unforeseen circumstances in space. Its effectiveness is essential to ensuring the safety of any people who might ride aboard the capsule in the future.<\/p> And the company appeared to nail the test.<\/p> After launch, the capsule separated from the rocket just like it should, and then its emergency motor ignited — just as it’s supposed to during an emergency situation. This propelled the capsule<\/a> to an altitude of roughly 119 kilometers (74 miles), a record height for the company. After that, both the capsule and the rocket safely returned to Earth.<\/p> TESTING. TESTING.<\/strong> Blue Origin wasn’t the only company testing the waters with this New Shepard rocket launch; the rocket’s capsule contained a variety of devices and experiments<\/a> for scientists and educators conducting microgravity research. One company sent up a system designed to provide reliable WiFi connectivity in space, while another added a number of textiles to the capsule so they could test their viability for use in space suits.<\/p> SPACE TOURISM.<\/strong> However, the most interesting payload aboard the capsule (for the general public, anyways) was likely Mannequin Skywalker<\/a>, the test dummy that first rode a New Shepard back in December. The mannequin serves as a reminder of Blue Origin’s ultimate goal — to send people into space — and with today’s successful test, the company moves one step closer to reaching that goal.<\/p> READ MORE:<\/strong> Blue Origin Will Push Its Rocket ‘to Its Limits’ With High-Altitude Emergency Abort Test Today<\/a> [The Verge<\/em>]<\/p> More on the New Shepard’s capsule: Blue Origin Just Released Images of Its Sleek Space Tourism Capsule<\/a><\/em><\/strong><\/p> The post Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Aces Important Test<\/a> appeared first on Futurism<\/a>.<\/p> See more here: NAILED IT. Continue reading
Blue Origin’s New Shepard Rocket Aces Important Test<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"