And what are these companies likely to achieve going forward?
The definition of where space begins is very subjective.
The Karman line is adistanceof 100km (62 miles), determined in 1957.
The Blue Origin launch is aiming for 106km (66 miles).
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Unity was just an acceleration straight up and then a controlled drop back down.
The definition of the edge of space is not trivial.
The weightlessness experienced is purely due to an extended free fall.
Theres also the environmental impact.
Blue Origins engines, on the other hand, are powered by liquid hydrogen.
Blue Origins New Shepherd spacecraft landing with parachutes.
The plan is to develop a new rocket, known asStarship, to launch this first space tourism venture.
It also won a small contract with Nasato do researchon its flights.
Blue Origin has also collaborated with Nasa to develop concepts and technologies to support future human spaceflight operations.
Virgin Galactics sister companyVirgin Orbit, a low-cost, small satellite launch plan, is far more impressive.
It has already completedtwo successful missions, deploying payloads to low Earth orbit.
No new records have been broken and no new technology has been tested.
