Blue Origin’s pusher escape system rockets the Crew Capsule away from the launch pad, demonstrating a key safety system for both suborbital and orbital flights. Image released Oct. 22, 2012.
The New Shepard Crew Capsule escaped to an altitude of 2,307 feet before deploying parachutes for a safe return. Image released Oct. 22, 2012.
With touchdown 1,630 feet from the launch pad, Blue Origin completed a successful test of its Crew Capsule escape system. Image released Oct. 22, 2012.
Blue Origin's second test vehicle, a suborbital launch vehicle, soars through Mach 1.2 at 45,000 feet in this image released by the secretive private spaceflight company. This image was taken in August 2011 right before the thrust termination system activated, resulting in the loss of the vehicle, company officials said.
This view of Blue Origin's second test space vehicle shows the suborbital rocket during a successful summer 2011 "short hop" test flight, according to company officials.
This view of Blue Origin's second test vehicle shows the suborbital rocket just before landing during a 2011 "short hop" test flight, which was successful, according to a company status update.
This photo shows the second test vehicle built by the secretive private spaceflight company Blue Origin as it appeared on the launch pad after a smooth "short hop" test in 2011.
An early prototype vision for Blue Origin's New Shepard vehicle for suborbital spaceflight.
A flight test of the prototype "Goddard" vehicle at Blue Origin's launch site in West Texas.
This artist's illustration of the orbital crew-carrying spaceship planned by the private company Blue Origin was included in the firm's NASA Space Act agreement to continue its work on a commercial crew space vehicle.
This illustration from private spaceship builder Blue Origin depicts the Orbital Reusable Booster System planned by the spaceflight company, which is owned by Amazon.com mogul Jeff Bezos.
Bankrolled by Jeff Bezos of Amazon.com fame and fortune, Blue Origin’s Goddard vehicle is the first development vehicle in the firm’s New Shepard suborbital program.
Blue Origin's Goddard development vehicle is seen while being lowered onto the launch and landing pad for a Nov. 13, 2006 flight at the company's West Texas testing grounds.
Daylight washes over Blue Origin's Goddard development craft during a Nov. 13, 2006 test flight at the private spaceflight company's West Texas launch site.
Blue Origin's Goddard demonstration vehicle in mid-flight above its West Texas launch pad during a test launch on Nov. 13, 2006.
Jeff Bezos said about the Blue Origin test launch of Goddard, "We brought a jumbotron so our spectators could have a better view. This photo is from a few days before launch when we scrubbed because of winds."
Jeff Bezos celebrates a test launch of the Goddard vehicle.
Spectators watch Blue Origin's Goddard test launch.
Blue Origin's Goddard vehicle, a development prototype for the company's New Shepard spacecraft, is returned to its barn after a successful Nov. 13, 2006 test flight.
