Blue Origin, an aerospace company led by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is all set to launch six women in a brief tourism flight to space.
Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket will be marking its 11th human flight, NS-31, with an all-female crew.
The crew includes pop sensation Katy Perry, journalist Gayle King, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, NASA aerospace engineer Aisha Bowe, film producer Kerianne Flynn, and Lauren Sanchez, a pilot and journalist engaged to Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.
The New Shepard spacecraft, designed for suborbital flights, will launch from Launch Site One in West Texas at 7:00 pm IST on April 14.
The six-member crew will cross the Karman Line, the imaginary boundary between Earth and space, and experience weightlessness as part of the 10-minute-long flight above the planet.
The mission will begin with a powered ascent lasting approximately 110 seconds, propelled by a single BE-3PM engine.
This engine will lift the spacecraft to an altitude of about 40 kilometers before the rocket and capsule continue coasting upwards due to their momentum, eventually reaching the Karman Line at 100 kilometers, the internationally recognised boundary of space.
At the peak altitude, the crew capsule will separate from the rocket, allowing the passengers to experience a few minutes of weightlessness.
During this time, the crew will enjoy panoramic views of Earth through the capsule’s six large windows. The capsule’s interior volume of 15 cubic meters provides ample space for the crew to move around and take in the breathtaking scenery.
After reaching the apogee, the highest point of the flight, the crew capsule will begin its descent, deploying three parachutes to slow its fall.
ALSO READ: ISRO scientist shares insights on space technology with students in Assam
Before touchdown, a retro-thrust system will be activated to reduce the landing speed to about 3.2 kmph, ensuring a safe and gentle landing.
The mission is a significant milestone in promoting diversity and inclusion in space exploration.
