Slashdot Mirror
Blue Origin Pushed Its Rocket 'To Its Limits' With High-Altitude Emergency Abort Test (theverge.com)
Blue Origin pulled off another successful test launch today, landing both the New Shepard rocket -- a reusable vehicle designed to take tourists to the edge of space and back -- and capsule after flight. From a report: The company ignited the capsule's emergency motor after it had separated from the rocket, pushing the spacecraft up to a top altitude of around 74 miles -- a new record for Blue Origin. The firing also caused the capsule to sustain up to 10 Gs during the test, but Blue Origin host Ariane Cornell said "that is well within what humans can take, especially for such a short spurt of time."
[...] The rocket which went up today is the third New Shepard vehicle that the company has ever flown. The first one flew to a super high altitude in April 2015, but the booster was unable to land back on Earth after flight. The second iteration of the vehicle was much more successful, however. Blue Origin launched and landed the rocket and booster a total of five times before retiring the system. This third New Shepard has already done two launches and landings, and it sports some upgrades over its predecessors. For instance, this one actually has windows in the crew capsule; the second vehicle had its windows painted on. Blue Origin is building even more vehicles to carry passengers, though there isn't a firm date for when the first crewed flights will occur. The company's president Rob Meyerson has estimated that the first test passengers could fly as soon as this year, while commercial flights could start in 2019. Blue Origin also plans to start selling tickets next year, too.
[...] The rocket which went up today is the third New Shepard vehicle that the company has ever flown. The first one flew to a super high altitude in April 2015, but the booster was unable to land back on Earth after flight. The second iteration of the vehicle was much more successful, however. Blue Origin launched and landed the rocket and booster a total of five times before retiring the system. This third New Shepard has already done two launches and landings, and it sports some upgrades over its predecessors. For instance, this one actually has windows in the crew capsule; the second vehicle had its windows painted on. Blue Origin is building even more vehicles to carry passengers, though there isn't a firm date for when the first crewed flights will occur. The company's president Rob Meyerson has estimated that the first test passengers could fly as soon as this year, while commercial flights could start in 2019. Blue Origin also plans to start selling tickets next year, too.
If you spoke English, you'd realize that Trump doesn't.
Well, to be fair, the solution is up to Kim, not Trump, though Trump may get the credit for brokering the deal.
To be fair the Kim family could have disarmed NK at any time in the last 50-60 years. Doesn't seem like there's been much progress on this until recently. What changed? Maybe a visit from USPOTUS? Retired presidents have visited NK, sitting presidents have been to the south side of the DMZ and looked into NK. Trump was the first sitting POTUS to visit NK and speak to their "dear leader".
I think Kim is mistaken, but I guess I can see why he's dragging his feet at this point, given the political landscape in the USA and the press reporting on it.
I can see why he's dragging his feet too, we are seeing the Democrat Party electing socialists to appear on election ballots in their primaries. The UN is helping the Kim family stay in power too by making Israel the "bad guy" on human rights while ignoring what's happening in China, Russia, Cuba, and of course in North Korea.
Trump should get some credit for making things move for once in getting North Korea to play nice in the international playground. So should a lot of people. I'm not sure how much credit should really go towards Kim on this, he's the reason NK is a shit hole to begin with.
I am armed because I am free. I am free because I am armed.