Video: Blue Origin beams success of in-flight test of crew escape system

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The moment Blue Origin conducted its in-flight test of the New Shepard crew escape system last Wednesday was a cliffhanger. The live webcast featured the breathtaking coverage of the capsule blasting off from the rocket booster just with a two-second burn just after 45 seconds into the flight. As this was the fifth launch and landing of the same rocket, it will find its way safely preserved and on display, either in a museum or as a lawn (structure) decoration at Blue Origin office or headquarters.

The moment Blue Origin conducted its in-flight test of the New Shepard crew escape system last Wednesday was a cliffhanger.

The live webcast featured the breathtaking coverage of the capsule blasting off from the rocket booster just with a two-second burn just after 45 seconds into the flight.

The capsule was safely back on the ground, intact.

The rocket booster followed the downward trajectory, racing itself to the ground.

It made its way completing a successful vertical landing at the Blue Origin facility in west Texas state, USA.

As this was the fifth launch and landing of the same rocket, it will find its way either in a museum or as a lawn (structure) decoration at Blue Origin office or headquarters.

The escape system was primarily designed to safely separate the New Shepherd crew capsule from the rocket booster in the event of an anomaly during flight, protecting a future crew.

The abort system performed as expected, as about 45 seconds after liftoff, the escape motor ignited underneath the crew capsule.

The motor burned for two seconds and shot the capsule up and away from the rocket booster.

After a bit of tumbling, correcting its position, the capsule’s parachutes deployed, allowing it to land safely.

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos of Amazon tweeted afterwards: ‘That is one hell of a booster.’ And not only that, he included a vine video of the successful test.

Below is the complete live stream coverage of the event:

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