This week marks Blue Origin’s announcement of a new product featuring founder Jeff Bezos
Blue Origin has recently unveiled a new vehicle called Blue Ring that can be described as a space tug on steroids. The company aims for it to be capable of carrying more than 6600 lbs (nearly 2000 kg) of payloads to various orbits throughout the solar system. Interestingly, the vehicle will use chemical and electric propulsion, which is different from the engines it has developed for its other vehicles.
This will be a versatile spacecraft with capabilities such as delivering satellites to specific orbits, carrying scientific or commercial sensor payloads, refueling other spacecraft, and even repairing them if equipped with suitable robotic tools.
Unlike Blue Origin’s previous launches featuring Jeff Bezos, the debut of Blue Ring did not include his appearance. This comes ahead of a planned leadership transition, where CEO Bob Smith will step down at the end of the year and be replaced by former Amazon executive Dave Limp.
Blue has been hinting at the project for some time now. It complements Blue’s intended launch business, especially when its New Glenn rocket takes flight. The space tug will attract a wider range of customers, as it is designed to launch on multiple rockets, including ULA’s Vulcan and SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
While Blue Ring faces competition from other companies such as Rocket Lab, Northrop Grumman, Astroscale, Momentus, Firefly Space, and Exolaunch, it is significantly larger and more capable than any of those vehicles.
According to Lars Hoffman, the vehicle might fly by 2025, but it’s unclear how much it will cost. However, it is already available for purchase by customers, stated a Blue Origin spokesperson.
Blue Origin has faced setbacks in the past, including the closure of an investigation into the failure of an uncrewed New Shepard spacecraft. The company is also still waiting for the maiden voyage of its orbital rocket, New Glenn.
Amidst these challenges, Blue Origin has been at an interesting point of transition. Next year, it could potentially compete directly with SpaceX in terms of regularly flying rockets. Furthermore, with Jeff Bezos stepping down as CEO of Amazon, his increased involvement with Blue Origin through the appointment of Dave Limp hints at a tighter grip on the reins of the company.
However, Blue Ring could be seen as the most practical and commercially focused product offered by Blue Origin so far. This stands in contrast to the grand vision behind the company’s other products, such as a fully-reusable rocket, a Moon lander, and a space station. A large satellite capable of traveling throughout the solar system might be more straightforward and driven by profit motivation, something that has been lacking at Blue Origin.
IMAGERY INTERLUDE
Did you catch the annular eclipse over the weekend? I didn’t get an amazing view, but the folks at Bryce Canyon National Park took a long-term exposure that’s truly striking:
Photo: National Parks Service/Peter Densmore
And with all the attention on going to the Moon, it makes me wonder what a solar eclipse will look like from the lunar surface—which is not an original thought.
SPACE DEBRIS
The FAA needs more resources to license launches faster.
Representatives from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, and Blue Origin told US senators that the FAA’s Office of Commercial Space Transportation needs more personnel and streamlined rules to keep up with the growing launch industry. They also emphasized the need for the continuation of the moratorium on rules for private human spaceflight. With the increasing pace of rocket launches, especially by SpaceX, an overhaul of the FAA’s capabilities seems inevitable.
Is that really Starship’s problem?
SpaceX argued in the Washington Post and Ars Technica that it is not the FAA but issues with environmental regulations at their Boca Chica spaceport that are hindering the development of Starship. The US Fish and Wildlife Service is still evaluating the environmental concerns. Compliance experts and employees have previously raised concerns about SpaceX’s environmental practices, which were exemplified by inadequate debris analysis in a recent launch.
The $170 billion question.
DARPA is convening space-focused companies to identify technology gaps that may impede profitability in the future lunar economy. It aims to gather specific data to inform and support the development of profitable opportunities on the Moon.
Hawkeye 360 raises $10 million in Lockheed partnership.
In a collaboration with Lockheed, Hawkeye 360 secured $10 million in additional funding for the development of new radio frequency surveillance technology.
Starlink has another conflict opportunity.
Following recent attacks on civilians by Hamas, an Israeli official expressed eagerness to activate SpaceX’s Starlink internet service for emergency communications. Meanwhile, SpaceX has announced an agreement to provide internet service to Qatar Airways.
Capella founder leaves CEO role.
Payam Banazadeh is stepping back from management duties at space radar company Capella, with Frank Backes taking over as CEO. The transition aims to refocus the company on winning government contracts.
Space firms raise $3 billion in the third quarter.
According to Space Capital, private space investment has increased by 17% compared to last year. However, there is a trend of fewer early-stage companies receiving funding, with more investor interest shifting towards government contracts.
Last week: Thirteen Ways of Looking at Psyche, NASA’s next asteroid mission.
Last year: How to keep space travelers safe.
This was issue 199 of our newsletter. Hope your week is out of this world! Please send your theories of Blue Origin, tips, and informed opinions to [email protected].
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