Blue Origin Shows New Shepard Crew Capsule with Largest Windows Ever in Space

In a short video that resembles a commercial to a spaceship taken right from a sci-fi movie, Blue Origin says the capsule of the New Shepard features windows that make up for one-third of the capsule's surface, in effect making them the largest windows ever fitted on a spaceship.

The video promises every detail of the capsule has been precision engineered to provide the traveler with both safety and comfort. For instance, the seats in the capsule, which were designed to soften the impact of the landing, can be reclined so that the tourists get the best view possible at every angle.

The goal of the short trips Blue Origin will be selling to amateurs starting next year for prices rumored to be a bit in excess of $200,000 is to give people the chance to experience weightlessness. This, says the company, is the beginning of a revolution in space travel, without mentioning for how long people will be able to experience zero-G.

New Shepard, named after the first American astronaut in space, Alan Shepard, is meant to be one of the transport means that would take tourist to space or NASA and other nations’ astronauts to the International Space Station (ISS).

The spacecraft is made of a capsule and booster rocket that launches vertically from a pad. 150 seconds after launch, the booster engine cuts off, and the capsule glides into space.

When fully operational, the capsule would serve as a research facility as well. Blue Origin says it is ideal for studies in microgravity physics, gravitational biology, technology demonstrations, and educational programs.