description New Shepard Overview
New Shepard is a reusable suborbital launch system developed and operated by Blue Origin for human spaceflight and research payloads. It consists of a vertical-launch booster and a pressurized crew capsule that separates near the top of the flight; the booster lands propulsively, while the capsule returns under parachutes. The vehicle is designed to cross the Karman line at 100 kilometers altitude, providing several minutes of microgravity, and began carrying people in 2021.
help New Shepard FAQ
Does New Shepard reach orbit?
No. New Shepard is a reusable suborbital system that flies above the Karman line at 100 kilometres, or 62 miles, during an approximately 11-minute flight. [Blue Origin](https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard)
How do the New Shepard booster and capsule work?
The booster launches vertically and separates from the pressurized crew capsule near the top of the flight. The booster lands propulsively, while the capsule returns under parachutes. [Blue Origin](https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard)
Why is it called New Shepard?
Blue Origin named the vehicle after Alan Shepard, the first American in space. The name distinguishes it from Blue Origin's larger orbital launch system, New Glenn. [Blue Origin](https://www.blueorigin.com/new-shepard)
When did New Shepard first carry people?
New Shepard's first crewed flight took place on July 20, 2021. The four-person crew included Jeff Bezos, Mark Bezos, Wally Funk, and Oliver Daemen. [Blue Origin](https://www.blueorigin.com/news/first-human-flight-updates)
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