Peak Altitude and Mission Overview
On July 20, 2021, Jeff Bezos flew aboard Blue Origin’s NS-16 mission, reaching space and returning safely. This flight was an unpowered suborbital trajectory, and the mission’s highest point is widely reported by official sources. Below are verified details, vehicle specifics, and context for altitude measurements.
Key Mission Metrics
| Metric | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Peak Altitude | 107.064 km (66.5 miles) | Blue Origin post-flight data |
| Space Definition | Crossed the US standard (50 mi) and international (100 km) thresholds | FAA / Kármán line conventions |
| Flight Duration | Approximately 10 minutes from liftoff to landing | Mission timeline reports |
| Vehicle | New Shepard rocket and capsule | Blue Origin manifest |
| Launch Site | Corn Ranch, West Texas | Operational logs |
Vehicle and Mission Profile
New Shepard is a vertically launched, vertically landed system designed for suborbital tourism and research flights. It consists of a booster rocket and a pressurized capsule, each equipped with recovery systems for reuse. The July 2021 mission was fully autonomous, with no pilot controlling the vehicle after launch.
Flight Sequence Highlights
- Liftoff: Booster engines ignite and lift the capsule vertically.
- Max Q and Thrust Termination: Booster separates after fuel depletion.
- Apofel: Capsule coasts to its highest point, officially reported at 107.064 km.
- Reentry and Landing: Capsule descends under parachutes; booster lands vertically on a pad.
Altitude Standards and Definitions
There are two common definitions of the boundary of space. The United States typically uses 50 miles (about 80.5 km), while the international community generally adopts the Kármán line at 100 km. Blue Origin’s reported 107.064 km exceeds both, making it an internationally recognized spaceflight by most standards.
Comparison with Other Human Spaceflights
For context, many orbital missions reach hundreds of kilometers, while other suborbital tourism flights have varied altitudes. Below is a concise comparison to clarify where Blue Origin’s NS-16 flight sits in broader human spaceflight history.
Notable Suborbital and Orbital Reference Points
| Mission / Program | Altitude (km) | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Blue Origin NS-16 (Bezos) | 107.064 | Suborbital tourism |
| Virgin Galactic Unity 22 | 86.1 | Suborbital tourism |
| International Space Station | ~420 | Low Earth orbit |
| Apollo Lunar Missions | 384,000 (average Earth-Moon) | Lunar transfer |
Public Reporting and Independent Confirmation
Blue Origin provided detailed telemetry, and multiple news outlets reported on live coverage. Official summaries, press releases, and post-flight data confirm the altitude and key mission events. Regulatory filings and FAA licensing also document the mission’s parameters.
Reusable Launch and Future Implications
Reusability is central to Blue Origin’s philosophy, and post-mission inspections showed both capsule and booster were recoverable and reusable. This supports longer-term goals of increasing flight cadence and lowering costs per launch, though independent assessments of reliability and frequency vary.
Summary and Sources
The July 20, 2021 NS-16 mission saw Jeff Bezos reach 107.064 km, crossing both US and international space boundaries. Key facts come from Blue Origin data, FAA documentation, and corroborating news coverage. The flight represents a milestone in suborbital tourism and reusable vehicle development.
Primary Sources
- Blue Origin post-flight media briefing and data sheets.
- FAA licensing and mission documentation for NS-16.
- Reputable news outlets with editorial standards and telemetry reviews.
Quick Reference
- Altitude achieved: 107.064 km (66.5 miles)
- Vehicle: New Shepard (rocket + capsule)
- Date: July 20, 2021
- Space thresholds crossed: US 50 mi and Kármán 100 km
FAQ
Reader questions
Common Points of Clarification
Did Bezos reach orbit? No; the flight was suborbital, similar to other tourist flights. Was the altitude above 100 km? Yes; official figures exceed the Kármán line. How does this compare to other flights? Altitudes vary; this flight sits above some suborbital missions but well below orbital ones.