Jeff Bezos’ aerospace venture recently provided NASA with a unique opportunity to experience a simulated version of the moon’s gravity, all while keeping the mission close to home.
Blue Origin conducted a launch from West Texas, sending 29 lunar technology experiments to the edge of space. They successfully managed to create approximately two minutes of artificial lunar gravity by rotating the capsule at 11 revolutions per minute.
This initiative marked Blue Origin’s first endeavor to replicate the gravitational conditions found on the lunar surface, which is only one-sixth of that on Earth.
NASA is eager to conduct tests on equipment during these brief spaceflights, allowing the agency to identify any potential issues before actual missions to the moon take place.
The experiments conducted, primarily funded by NASA, focused on developing methods to keep lunar dust from contaminating the spacesuits and tools that astronauts would utilize during moonwalks.
Replicating lunar gravity during space missions can significantly expedite research efforts at a fraction of the usual expenses, paving the way for future missions that could simulate the gravity of Mars and other celestial bodies, as shared by Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp on social media before the launch.
The New Shepard rocket successfully returned to its landing site following its launch in the late morning, with the capsule carrying the experiments descending back to the desert to conclude the ten-minute flight.
New Shepard alternates between accommodating passengers and conducting experiments on short missions. Meanwhile, Blue Origin’s larger orbital vehicle, New Glenn, completed its inaugural launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, just last month.
