BLUE ORIGIN
New Shepard | NS-3
—
—
Jan 22, 2016 at 16:00 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
Initializing Launch Globe…
Source
PADWest Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch
SITECorn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA →ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight
MISSION OVERVIEW
The third test flight of the New Shepard vehicle. It is the first re-use for Blue Origin.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
New ShepardAGENCY
Blue OriginMISSION
NS-3
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
LAUNCH SITE
Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 5abbd675-424b-4caf-ace5-8ba448a6a81f
Reported date: Jan 22, 2016 at 16:00 UTC
Last synced: 4 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
Loading weather…
CAN YOU SEE THIS LAUNCH?
Select a location to check if this launch is visible from where you are
BOOSTER — NS-2 →
#2THIS FLIGHT
5TOTAL FLIGHTS
5/5LANDINGS
59dTURNAROUND
FLIGHT-PROVEN BOOSTER
RTLS — Corn Ranch Landing Pad, West Texas SUCCESS
First flight: Nov 23, 2015Previous flight: Nov 23, 2015
CREW CAPSULE 1 — RSS JULES VERNE
1SERIAL
6FLIGHTS
SuborbitalDESTINATION
RetiredSTATUS
FLIGHT-PROVEN CAPSULE
First Blue Origin New Shepard Crew Capsule.
VEHICLE — New Shepard →
MANUFACTURER
Blue Origin
FLIGHTS
38
SUCCESSES
37
SUCCESS RATE
97.4%
The New Shepard reusable launch system is a vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing (VTVL), suborbital manned rocket that is being developed by Blue Origin as a commercial system for suborbital space tourism.
MORE INFO
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the New Shepard | NS-3 launch?
The New Shepard | NS-3 is scheduled for Friday, January 22, 2016 at 4:00 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for NS-3?
The New Shepard | NS-3 mission uses the New Shepard rocket, manufactured by Blue Origin. The New Shepard has flown 38 times with a 97.4% success rate.
Where is the New Shepard | NS-3 launching from?
The launch takes place from West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch at Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA.
What orbit is NS-3 going to?
The NS-3 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching NS-3?
The New Shepard | NS-3 is operated by Blue Origin.
Can I watch the New Shepard | NS-3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch date set: Jan 22, 2016 at 16:00 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Blue Origin
Mar 28, 2026 20:33 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 4 minutes ago
●Launch Library 24 minutes ago
Launch ID: 5abbd675-424b-4caf-ace5-8ba448a6a81f
●Open-Meteo Weather3 weeks ago
Pad weather at 31.42, -104.76
Mission Profile
NS-3 was a New Shepard mission operated by Blue Origin that lifted off from West Texas Suborbital Launch Site/ Corn Ranch, Corn Ranch, Van Horn, TX, USA on January 22, 2016. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Suborbital. The first stage, booster NS-2, made its 2nd flight, returning to service just 59 days after its previous mission. The launch was a success.