Topic: [Discuss] Blue Origin New Shepard: Mission 18
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2021 04:07 PM
Please use this topic to discuss Blue Origin's New Shepard 18 (NS-18) suborbital crewed mission.
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4950 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-24-2021 04:09 PM
TMZ reports that William Shatner will be a passenger on the next crewed flight of Blue Origin's suborbital launch vehicle.
...sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the 90-year-old actor is slated to be part of the second crew to take the space flight in the New Shepard capsule. That would make him the oldest person ever to be launched into space.
Our sources say the mission will be filmed for a documentary. We're told Shatner's people were talking to Discovery about the special, but that didn't materialize ... but our sources say Shatner and Co. have taken the project elsewhere and are in negotiations.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-27-2021 12:06 PM
While everyone waits to see if Blue Origin confirms William Shatner as a client, the company has announced Dr. Chris Boshuizen, co-founder of Planet Labs, and Glen de Vries, co-founder of Medidata Solutions, as two of the four passengers on NS-18, set launch on Oct. 12.
From Boshuizen:
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4950 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 09-30-2021 12:01 PM
William Shatner interview posted today in which he talks about the possibility of flying on Blue Origin:
The question of whether I am going is being settled today or tomorrow. As you can understand, I can't quite answer it now, but I will certainly take my new album with me and paste it on my back.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-04-2021 08:57 AM
Today, Blue Origin announced William Shatner and Audrey Powers, the company's vice president of mission and flight operations, will fly on New Shepard NS-18. They will join crewmates Chris Boshuizen and Glen de Vries for the flight which lifts off on October 12.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2021 08:45 PM
Crew portraits:
SpaceAholic Member
Posts: 4950 From: Sierra Vista, Arizona Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-10-2021 09:51 PM
All wearing the same foot wear this time around.
Philip Member
Posts: 6106 From: Brussels, Belgium Registered: Jan 2001
posted 10-11-2021 12:15 PM
Blue Origin flight director and engineer for Human Flight Certification Review, Audrey Powers and Dr Chris Boshuizen already seem to wear the new Omega Speedmaster 3861 chronograph...
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-11-2021 12:28 PM
All four crew members were presented with the Omega Speedmaster chronographs by Blue Origin on their first day of training. The watches, like those presented to the NS-16 crew, are specially inscribed on their caseback.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3383 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 10-11-2021 12:59 PM
Let's see if we can comment on "Captain Kirk's" flight without using the words "to boldly go" or "the final frontier." From here onward...
star61 Member
Posts: 307 From: Bristol UK Registered: Jan 2005
posted 10-11-2021 04:38 PM
Perhaps when he see's the smuggled portrait of Ricardo Montalban on the wall we will hear him shout... "Kahhhnnn!"
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-11-2021 05:20 PM
Discovery and Science Channel will broadcast the NS-18 mission live:
"Space Launch LIVE: Shatner in Space"
Airing Live on Discovery and Science Channel Wednesday, October 13, 8:30 - 10:30 AM
Discovery and Science Channel brings viewers the highly-anticipated launch of Star Trek star William Shatner as he takes his first flight into space — at the age of 90, soon to be the oldest person to fly to space — on Blue Origin's New Shepard, a cutting-edge suborbital rocket. Scheduled for Wednesday after weather delays, the mission, known as NS-18, will launch from Blue Origin's West Texas site.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2021 06:32 PM
Club for the Future update (via Twitter):
Special delivery: NS-18 astronauts put pen to postcard ahead of their flight. When they take to the skies, they'll boldly go where no mail carrier has gone before.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-12-2021 08:48 PM
Blue Origin live video
New Shepard’s 18th mission, NS-18, will lift off on Wednesday, October 13, carrying four astronauts, Dr. Chris Boshuizen, Glen de Vries, Audrey Powers, and William Shatner, to space and back.
Live launch coverage begins T-90 minutes.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2021 07:06 AM
Blue Origin update
New Shepard is on the pad and getting ready for its second crewed mission to space today.
Before that starts, meet the NS-18 crew as they embark on their journey.
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1420 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 10-13-2021 07:10 AM
Plan to watch while I'm at work.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 319 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 10-13-2021 10:24 AM
What a great flight. So James T. Kirk has at last "boldly gone" (apologies to Blackarrow).
He was clearly overcome by the whole experience.
Congratulations to all those who made this possible.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2021 10:35 AM
Upon landing, William Shatner quoted Issac Newton on Twitter:
I do not know what I may appear to the world, but to myself I seem to have been only like a boy playing on the seashore, diverting myself in now and then finding a smoother pebble or a prettier shell than ordinary, whilst the great ocean of truth lay all undiscovered before me.
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1420 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 10-13-2021 11:34 AM
quote:Originally posted by OLDIE: He was clearly overcome by the whole experience.
He was moved to tears.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2021 11:35 AM
Key missions statistics from Blue Origin (via Twitter):
The crew capsule reached an apogee of 347,539 ft. above ground level (AGL) / 351,186 ft. mean sea level (MSL) (106 km AGL/107 km MSL).
The booster reached an apogee of 347,160 ft AGL / 350,807 ft MSL (106 km AGL / 107 km MSL).
Official launch time was 9:49 am CDT / 14:49 UTC. Capsule landing occurred at 9:59 am CDT / 14:59 UTC. The mission elapsed time was 10 min 17 sec; the max ascent velocity was 2,235 mph / 3,597 km/h.
19th consecutive successful crew capsule landing (every flight in the program, including a pad escape test in 2012).
NukeGuy Member
Posts: 80 From: Irvine, CA USA Registered: May 2014
posted 10-13-2021 12:38 PM
While many reflected on William Shatner’s role as Captain Kirk, I was recalling Shatner’s role in a Twilight Zone episode "Terror at 20,000 Feet."
I wonder if he saw a monster clinging to the outside of the capsule.
Terror at 347,000 feet?
jklier Member
Posts: 76 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-13-2021 12:49 PM
This is a quote from Shatner a few days ago obviously referring to that episode.
You have three minutes to look into the abscess of space and the beauty of this oasis of Earth, and I was planning on pressing my nose against the window, you know? And my only hope was I wouldn't see somebody else looking back.
Did anyone else think Bezos was a bit rude to Shatner after the flight?
Shatner was trying to express his feeling about the flight and Bezos was looking like he needed to go pee. He kept looking over his shoulder as Shatner was talking. He finally completely interrupted him to call the others over to do champagne.
Being an actor Shatner was able to regather his thoughts and continue which for most may have been difficult after you are interrupted in that moment.
p51 Member
Posts: 1734 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
posted 10-13-2021 01:21 PM
As for Shatner being moved to tears, I don't blame him a bit. I would, too, if I ever got such an opportunity.
Don't forget, it was really common at early sci-fi conventions to have NASA astronauts show up alongside Star Trek cast members.
It's a given that Shatner has interacted with real astronauts many times throughout his life. Now he's gotten a small taste of what they've really done.
If that wouldn't move you to tears, you might wanna seek therapy right away.
OLDIE Member
Posts: 319 From: Portsmouth, England Registered: Sep 2004
posted 10-13-2021 01:26 PM
Whether it was planned or unplanned, It seemed sad that William Shatner didn't seem to have anyone to greet him, unlike the other crew members. As has already been mentioned, even Bezos seemed more interested in the champagne.
jklier Member
Posts: 76 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-13-2021 01:55 PM
As far as I could see Shatner climbed all of those steps to the top of the rocket. That's impressive for a 90 year old.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2021 02:05 PM
quote:Originally posted by jklier: Did anyone else think Bezos was a bit rude to Shatner after the flight?
I think Bezos was aware there were cameras rolling, waiting for the crew to celebrate together, which is why he appeared a bit distracted. I don't think it was meant as any disrespect. After all, it was Bezos who invited Shatner to fly.
Shatner was the latest of a handful of tourists to make such a trip. But he’s the first 90-year-old to do it.
Everything unfolded during an 11-minute trip that was closely watched by Francis French, a prominent San Diego space historian and author who has worked with Shatner at various charity events.
jklier Member
Posts: 76 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-13-2021 02:24 PM
quote:Originally posted by Robert Pearlman: I think Bezos was aware there were cameras rolling...
Frankly, I was much more interested in what Shatner had to say at that moment than I was to see the champagne being popped. That all could have waited another minute. I thought Shatner looked a bit uncomfortable when it happened.
I agree it wasn't intentional but it didn't play well for the camera in my opinion.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-13-2021 03:58 PM
Blue Origin video
This was the voyage of the RSS First Step today. Its mission: encounter Earth from incredible views at apogee.
ejectr Member
Posts: 1862 From: Killingly, CT Registered: Mar 2002
posted 10-13-2021 04:33 PM
As far as Bezos goes, he was a heck of a man to have invited Shatner and pay for all this. A giant of a man with feelings.
Let's face it, the show was Shatner and he absorbed it like a true nanogenarian. His reaction was pure class. Before, during and after the flight.
He solidified his place in my heart forever.
jklier Member
Posts: 76 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-13-2021 04:51 PM
quote:Originally posted by ejectr: As far a Bezos goes, he was a heck of a man to invite Shatner...
Can't argue with that. I totally agree.
While I know making more money is behind this stuff, Bezos and Musk at least are doing things to advance science and research. Paul Allen is another one that contributed before he passed away.
Blackarrow Member
Posts: 3383 From: Belfast, United Kingdom Registered: Feb 2002
posted 10-13-2021 06:40 PM
There were four people in that capsule, but it was inevitable and understandable that the attention would mainly be on William Shatner.
I must admit I was thinking back to Saturday 26th July, 1969, when I first saw Shatner as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek episode "City on the Edge of Forever." He's come a long way since then! He could have quoted Bruce McCandless's playful response to Al Shepard stepping on to the Moon ("Not bad for an old man") but instead he said something which made me gasp with joy on describing his experience: "I hope I never recover from this."
Gilbert Member
Posts: 1420 From: Carrollton, GA USA Registered: Jan 2003
posted 10-14-2021 08:07 AM
I'm glad I am alive to witness this moment.
Shatner/Kirk has always been a hero of mine ever since I saw the first episode of Star Trek in 1966. Also, "Nightmare at 20,000 Feet" is my favorite Twilight Zone episode.
jklier Member
Posts: 76 From: Austin, Texas Registered: Aug 2007
posted 10-14-2021 12:37 PM
He was also great as Big Giant Head on Third Rock From the Sun.
oly Member
Posts: 1310 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-14-2021 07:27 PM
William Shatner appearing in another aerospace program from 1965.
ManInSpace Member
Posts: 252 From: Brooklin, Ontario Canada Registered: Feb 2018
posted 10-14-2021 10:26 PM
Nice find oly. I had not seen that episode until now.
SpaceCadet1983 Member
Posts: 360 From: Pacific NW, United States Registered: May 2012
posted 10-15-2021 07:51 PM
Did William Shatner stay "tethered" to his chair the whole time during weightlessness or did he float around?
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-15-2021 08:12 PM
He wasn't tethered, but from the video released and his own descriptions since, he seemed to be glued to the window looking at the Earth and blackness of space.
In the video, though, you can see he changed his position and moved up and down the height of the window.
oly Member
Posts: 1310 From: Perth, Western Australia Registered: Apr 2015
posted 10-15-2021 08:47 PM
I get why Shatner spent his time taking in the view outside and appreciating where he was, rather than chase Skittles and focus on the environment inside the vehicle. It is far easier to experience weightlessness than it is to get that view.
Robert Pearlman Editor
Posts: 47367 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
posted 10-15-2021 09:35 PM
Also, keep in mind that the video shows only 38 seconds of in-flight footage, when they were weightless for some four minutes. So Shatner could have spent a minute or more floating around before settling in front of the window, which is what we got to see.
posted 09-24-2021 04:07 PM
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