The secret space race is getting heated , with companies like SpaceX and Orbital Sciences in the U.S. making huge strides in recent years . And now , Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has thrown his hat steadfastly into the ring , with theannouncementof a new launch quickness at Cape Canaveral in Florida .
His space company , Blue Origin , has antecedently made vindicated its design to start plunge shipment and finally humankind to distance . Many see the caller as a verbatim competitor to Elon Musk ’s SpaceX , with the two clashing overlaunch facilitiesandpatentsfor reclaimable rockets in late time .
This latest $ 200 million ( £ 130 million ) investment will see Blue Origin take over Launch Complex 36 from NASA at Cape Canaveral ( SpaceX is run from Launch Complex 39 ) , which was antecedently used for Atlas rocket launches from 1962 to 2005 . The pad will likely be used for an upcoming unnamed orbital Eruca sativa Blue Origin is grow . sooner this class , it showed off its sub - orbitalNew Shepardvehicle at a testing site in West Texas .
“ Cape Canaveral has long been a gateway to humankind ’s majuscule adventures , ” said Bezos in astatement . “ As a kid , I was inspire by the giant Saturn V missions that roared to aliveness from these shoring . Now we are thrilled to be come to the Sunshine State for a new era of exploration . ”
Jeff Bezos made the announcement at a press group discussion yesterday . Blue Origin .
Blue Origin alsoannouncedit was developing a new methane - fueled rocket engine for spacefaring troupe United Launch Alliance ( ULA ) . Dubbed the BE-4 , the engine will be used on ULAs coming Vulcan rocket .
Compared to SpaceX , which is keen to shout about its successes and even itsfailures , Blue Origin is much more secretive . Indeed , the mental test of New Shepard in April this year came as a surprisal to many . Thus , many are still unsure exactly what the company will be using this launchpad for . But it ’s clear that , while they might be contend for moneymaking launch contract bridge via dissimilar methods , Bezos shares Musk ’s vision for distance geographic expedition .
“ I do n’t do it how long this will take , ” Bezos saidyesterday , “ but one daytime I look forward to have a press conference with you guys in space . ”
Powerful give-and-take indeed . The race is on .
