New Shepard Development (2006-2011)

In 2006, Blue Origin began to develop the New Shepard spaceplane in earnest. The company invested heavily in the development of the vehicle, which included the creation of a large launch pad and test facility.

New Shepard was designed to be a reusable launch system, with the ability to carry up to six people to the edge of space and back. The vehicle was powered by a liquid oxygen and methane fuel combination, which provided a high specific impulse and efficient propulsion.

Bezos was highly involved in the development of New Shepard, often flying on the vehicle himself. He took the first test flight in 2015, along with his brother Mark and another investor, Evan Leybourn.