This was Blue Origin's third manned spaceflight, with six people on board for the first flight.
Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is heading into space after receiving clearance from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The FAA on Friday issued a Part 450 commercial space launch license to Blue Origin, authorizing the first launch of its New Glenn reusable rocket.
The FAA has determined that the aerospace company meets all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements, the statement said.
Van Horn, Texas – December 11: (L-R) Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, Good Morning America co-anchor and former NFL star Michael Strahan, Dylan Taylor, Voyager Space Chairman and CEO, Venture Capitalist Lane Bee (Photo courtesy of Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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“The FAA is committed to enabling the success of America's commercial space transportation industry without compromising public safety,” said Kelvin B. Coleman, assistant administrator for commercial space transportation. “Working closely with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license well in advance of the legal deadline for New Glenn's historic first flight.”
The license allows Blue Origin to land the reusable New Glenn first stage on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean and conduct orbital missions from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the FAA said. It is valid for 5 years.
Van Horn, Texas – December 11: Blue Origin's new Shepard lifts off from the launch site with Good Morning America co-anchor Michael Strahan, Laura Shepard Churchley, daughter of astronaut Alan Shepard, It is then launched from a single launch pad carrying four other civilians from D. (Photo courtesy of Mario Tama/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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Reacting to the X news, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said, “We greatly appreciate the FAA's partnership, especially during the holiday season. We salute NG-1. “We have a really close relationship, everyone.''
Jeff Bezos speaks about flying into space with Blue Origin's New Shepard during a press conference in Van Horn, Texas, on July 20, 2021. (Joe Radle/Getty Images/Getty Images)
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The rocket, named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth, is designed for a minimum of 25 flights and will launch payloads into high-energy orbits, the company said. . They operate similarly to commercial airliners, but use cleaner fuel, produce less waste, and cost less.
