How Sustainable is Blue Origin’s New Shepard Space Flight?
Spaceflight has moved from a staple of science-fiction to an industry lifting off nearly every day.
The launch industry has the potential to both support impactful good for humanity and damage the environment.
When Apollo 11 took humans to the moon for the first time, only the command module containing the astronauts returned to Earth – other parts were discarded.
While in the past most rockets were designed as single-use vehicles, Blue Origin is one of the companies changing this.
About the NS-31 mission
Blue Origin’s New Shepard is set to take to the skies for 11 minutes with the first all-women crew since Russian cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova's solo flight in 1963.
The six women on board are:
- Pop star Katy Perry
- Journalist and philanthropist Lauren Sánchez
- Civil rights activist Amanda Nguyễn
- CBS Mornings co-host Gayle King
- Former NASA scientist and entrepreneur Aisha Bowe
- Film producer Kerianne Flynn
New Shepard is the company’s autonomous, fully reusable suborbital rocket developed for space tourism.
While in the past most rockets were designed as single-use vehicles, this one is part of a growing trend increasing circularity in spaceflight.
It is also symbolic of a battle between two billionaires – Elon Musk’s SpaceX is ahead of Bezos’ Blue Origin in the reusable space race with one of its Falcon 9 boosters launching 27 times.
This flight will be Blue Origin’s 11th human journey to the edge of space, set to launch on 14 April with its launch window opening at 13:30 UTC.
How does spaceflight impact the environment?
Combustion emissions from rocket launches affect both the climate and stratospheric ozone layer.
Closer to the ground, aeroplane emissions impact climate change more than emissions on the ground.
Non-CO₂ emissions from flights, such as nitrogen oxides, contribute to the formation of contrails which can trap heat in the atmosphere.
High altitudes also give these emissions a longer-lasting impact than those from ground transport.
Soot from rockets in the upper atmosphere has a warming effect 500 times greater than when released by aeroplanes according to a 2022 University College London study by Professor Eloise Marais.
However, human space travel has potential to help in tackling issues like climate change.
At COP26 in Glasgow, Astronaut Tim Peake said: "I personally am a fan of using space for science and for the benefit of everybody back on Earth, so in that respect, I feel disappointed that space is being tarred with that brush."
What is the New Shepard rocket system?
New Shepard is named after the first American in space, Alan Shepard.
Its development flight test programme concluded in 2021 after 16 consecutive successful flight tests.
Nearly 99% of the system’s dry mass is reused including the booster, capsule, ring fin, landing gear, engine and parachutes.
Its BE-3PM engine is fuelled by liquid oxygen and hydrogen, producing water vapour but no carbon emissions during flight.
New Shepard carries its passengers or cargo just above the Kármán line, widely accepted as the edge of space 100km above mean sea level.
The booster of this system can be reused up to 25 times with minimal refurbishment.
Reusing parts like the rocket booster reduces reliance on raw materials and the environmental impact of mining and manufacturing them, but can also radically reduce the cost of spaceflight.
The price of flying on board Blue Origin’s suborbital rocket is not public, but to begin the process of ordering a ticket the company asks for a deposit of US$150,000.
Blue Origin’s last crewed New Shepard flight took place on 25 February 2025.
Meet the all-women crew
The women crewing the NS-31 mission were brought together by Lauren Sánchez, a journalist, philanthropist and the fiancée of Blue Origin owner Jeff Bezos.
"She is honoured to lead a team of explorers on a mission that will challenge their perspectives of Earth, empower them to share their own stories and create lasting impact that will inspire generations to come," Blue Origin says.
“If you had told me that I would be part of the first ever all-female crew in space, I would have believed you,” Katy Perry said on social media in February.
“Nothing was beyond my imagination as a child. Although we didn’t grow up with much, I never stopped looking at the world with hopeful WONDER!
“I work hard to live my life that way still, and I am motivated more than ever to be an example for my daughter that women should take up space (pun intended).
“That’s why this opportunity is so incredible — so that I can show all of the youngest & most vulnerable among us to reach for the stars, literally and figuratively. I am honoured to be among this diverse group of celestial sisters.”
This launch will make Amanda Nguyễn the first Vietnamese woman to fly to space, alongside her work as the Founder and CEO of NGO Rise and advocacy for civil rights.
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