Blue Origin’s CEO Dave Limp Sets Sights on Developing Crewed Spacecraft
Blue Origin, the space company owned by Jeff Bezos, is making significant strides in its mission to develop crewed spacecraft. With new CEO Dave Limp at the helm, the company is working to create a more productive culture and achieve its ambitious goals. Blue Origin has already achieved notable successes this year, including the successful debut launch of the Vulcan booster powered by its BE-4 rocket engine. Furthermore, the company is preparing for the inaugural flight of its heavy-lift rocket, New Glenn, which is expected to take place as early as August.
However, Blue Origin’s endeavors do not stop there. The company has been diligently working on various hardware projects that will be utilized in conjunction with New Glenn. One such project is the Blue Ring transfer vehicle, which will be responsible for transporting satellites into precise orbits. Additionally, Blue Origin is actively involved in the development of a private space station called Orbital Reef.
One of the key concerns surrounding Orbital Reef is how astronauts will be transported to and from the space station. Currently, the only means of crew transportation to low-Earth orbit for the United States is through SpaceX’s Dragon vehicle, which happens to be a direct competitor of Blue Origin. It is evident that relying on SpaceX’s services is not an ideal solution for Bezos and his company.
Boeing, an official partner of Orbital Reef, has its own crewed spacecraft called Starliner, which is scheduled to make its debut flight in April. However, there are doubts regarding Boeing’s long-term commitment to Starliner beyond its contracted missions with NASA. Furthermore, concerns have been raised about the potential high cost of Starliner compared to Dragon if it were to accommodate private astronauts. Blue Origin has also engaged in discussions with India regarding the use of its new crew capsule.
Each of these options presents its own set of challenges, particularly for a company with a grand vision of enabling “millions of people living and working in space.” It has long been speculated that Blue Origin would eventually develop its own crewed spacecraft, but the question remained as to when this would happen. Well, it seems that the time is now.
Blue Origin began exploring the concept of a next-generation spacecraft capable of transporting up to seven astronauts to low-Earth orbit over a decade ago. Although the company dropped out of NASA’s commercial crew program, it received approximately $25 million in funding for preliminary studies. The crew project was put on hold for some time but has now resurfaced as a major initiative within Blue Origin, with the company actively hiring staff to spearhead the development of the vehicle.
The first indication of Blue Origin’s renewed interest in crewed spacecraft came last June when the company was selected by NASA as one of seven companies to design advanced commercial space projects. In a subsequent document, NASA revealed that Blue Origin was working on a “commercial space transportation system” that included a reusable spacecraft designed to launch on the New Glenn rocket. NASA commended Blue Origin’s development plan for its low external dependence, technological maturity, and demonstrated technical competency.
The recent job postings by Blue Origin provide further evidence of the company’s commitment to developing an orbital human spacecraft. For instance, the company is actively seeking a leader for its “Space Vehicle Abort Thrusters Integrated Product Team” on LinkedIn. This position requires experience with human spaceflight or high-performance aircraft systems. Abort thrusters are a crucial component of crewed spacecraft as they are designed to automatically activate in the event of a rocket malfunction. These powerful thrusters propel the crew vehicle away from the failing rocket, ensuring the safe return of astronauts to Earth. Notably, all currently operational crewed vehicles, including SpaceX’s Dragon, Russia’s Soyuz, and China’s Shenzhou, feature such escape systems. The inclusion of abort thrusters in Blue Origin’s crewed spacecraft design indicates the company’s commitment to prioritizing crew safety.
After years of operating under a veil of secrecy, Blue Origin is now gradually revealing more about its intentions. This newfound transparency is likely a result of the impending debut of the New Glenn rocket, which will solidify Blue Origin’s position as a formidable launch company and a significant competitor to SpaceX. It is expected that the company will share further details about its crewed spaceflight ambitions later this year.
Blue Origin’s pursuit of developing crewed spacecraft marks an exciting chapter in the company’s journey. With Dave Limp leading the charge, Blue Origin is poised to make significant contributions to the future of space exploration. As the company continues to innovate and push boundaries, it brings us one step closer to a world where living and working in space becomes a reality for millions.
