Suborbital Payload Spaceflight Aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard Vehicle

Benjamin Lewis Blue Origin, Kent, Washington, USA; [email protected]

Abstract payload. This dedicated controller can be Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft offers a programmed to meet the specific needs of the large-format crew capsule, capable of carrying a payload and provides power, payload data logging, wide variety of high-altitude and microgravity high frequency flight telemetry logging and relay, payloads above the Karman Line (100 km). The digital and analog I/O, and camera control. The IPC spacecraft supports unique payload configurations allows researchers to connect via an Ethernet cable ranging from externally mounted hardware to large, to program the IPC and run benchtop mission custom structures inside a shirt-sleeve environment. simulations for payload development and testing. New Shepard also features a standardized payload locker architecture. This enables low cost access to NanoLabs and Custom Payloads flight, streamlined integration and approval, and fast New Shepard offers payload capabilities beyond the reflight for experiment or technology iteration. This standard locker system. The NanoLab form factor is poster will present the payload system architecture, ideal for payloads with lower volume and power interfaces, integration process, and operations for requirements, or customers who are budget payloads aboard New Shepard. constrained. NanoLabs range from elementary school-designed hardware to cutting-edge scientific New Shepard Payload Mission Overview research. Large custom payloads can be mounted Payloads are typically installed four days ahead of in place of payload stacks. The crew capsule is launch, though time sensitive payloads can be easily reconfigurable and able to accommodate any integrated 6-8 hours prior to liftoff with load combination of crew members, payload stacks, and timelines just minutes prior to launch planned for custom payloads. The vehicle allows for custom future flights. Payload power and data begin hardware mounting such as window or externally approximately five minutes ahead of liftoff. After mounted sensors. liftoff, the vehicle ascends vertically for approximately 150 seconds before main engine Payload Integration Process cutoff. Several seconds later, the capsule separates Blue Origin offers a light-weight, flexible payload form the booster and experiences microgravity for a integration and approval process. The process period of about three minutes. The microgravity requires two technical document submissions: a environment on previous flights has been observed Payload Data Package at L-5 months and a to be extremely quiet – on the order of a few milli- Payload Safety Package at L-3 months. Combined G’s. The booster maneuvers toward its landing pad, with the simple locker interface, customers are able restarts its engine, and deploys landing gear ahead to move from payload concept to flight within a of a rocket-powered vertical landing. The capsule matter of months. Blue provides a Payload reenters and lands under three-parachute canopy Processing Facility for storage, flight preparations, with the assistance of a retro-thrust system to and post-mission processing of experiments. reduce landing loads. Customers typically arrive two days prior to payload integration for final checkouts. After flight, time Payload Locker Platform sensitive payloads can be returned to the facility New Shepard features a payload locker architecture within an hour of landing. Reflights do not require which is designed to enable streamlined access to re-review and enable even shorter timelines. suborbital flight. The system consists of single and double sized payload lockers which are installed Conclusions into six stacks arranged radially around the crew The New Shepard vehicle has successfully flown capsule. Each locker has a standard internal bolt payload missions and demonstrated world-class pattern which serves as the structural interface to microgravity quality. Blue Origin has developed a the payload. A front access door and easily robust system which enables efficient, cost-effective removable top panel allow for hardware installation access to flight for a broad range of payloads and and fast access during pre and post flight customers. We look forward to fostering this next operations. Each locker features an Integrated frontier in suborbital space research. Payload Controller (IPC) which provides the avionics interface between New Shepard and the