NS-19 From Inside the Capsule: Blue Origin Launch to Landing

Inside the capsule on NS-19

Blue Origin's NS-19 took flight on December 11, 2021, and this footage follows the whole event from inside the capsule, from launch to landing. The audio is the passengers' own reactions, so the account comes largely from what they say as it happens.

Ascent

During the climb a passenger calls out "2.2 g's" and says their eyes are watering. Others point out the topography below. Someone notes the salt flats and says it is getting dark as the capsule climbs, and a passenger remarks on how bright the sun is.

Separation and weightlessness

A voice announces floating down and separation, followed by a call to wait for seat belts. Moments later the passengers shout that they are weightless. They take photos, ask each other to get pictures, and are reminded they can clip their feet under a fixture. One passenger lets go and drifts upward, another loses track of which way is up, and someone has a ball floating nearby. One says they have never seen anything like it.

A passenger notes that they are above the Karman line and says, "we are astronauts." Another comments on how dark it is and the view, and points out a tiny blue line that is the atmosphere. A countdown mention says they will hit 30 seconds soon, and they are told to get back to their seats and buckle in.

Descent and landing

After the flight a passenger calls it the most epic thing they have ever experienced. One suggests doing it again tomorrow, and another jokes about going to the ISS. Passengers realise they forgot to look for the booster. They mention the drag and 8,000 feet, calling it intense, and one says they want to do it again.

Once the capsule is on its way down, they note that people on the ground can see them now. A helicopter is spotted. Passengers then spot the booster on the right side and ask whether it stuck the landing. They say it is pretty close to the center. As the capsule nears the ground, a passenger advises looking at the horizon, and the capsule comes in to land.