Space Watch

Blue Origin Will Launch (and Land) a Reusable Spacecraft Tuesday.

By , 12/10/2019 9:42:25 AM

Blue Origin is watching the weather, however, which may not be the best for a launch. 

"Current weather conditions aren't as favorable as we’d like, but we're continuing to keep an eye on the forecast," Blue Origin wrote in a mission update. 

The NS-12 mission will mark Blue Origin's twelfth New Shepard launch and sixth using this particular New Shepard spacecraft. The vehicle made its first flight in December 2017, with two more in 2018 and two more flights this year in January and May, respectively. NS-12 will be Blue Origin's ninth commercial mission using a New Shepard vehicle

For this flight, New Shepard is carrying a series of science experiments for NASA and other customers, including Blue Origin's 100th payload for customer, the company reported. Some of the science experiments include:

• A NASA "space plant" experiment to study gene expression in microgravity;
• OSCAR: A NASA recycling technology test to turn trash into water and gases like hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide and methane;
• An experiment by Columbia University students in New York City to study the effects of microgravity on cell biology;
• Two winning art projects from the Art in Space contest with rock back OK Go, which partnered with Blue Origin in the contest for middle school and high school students.