How is the Blue Origin system generally designed regarding the operational input required from passengers like Jeff Bezos?
Answer
It is designed to be almost entirely automated, requiring minimal input.
A major factor distinguishing commercial space tourists from career astronauts is the operational necessity of their presence. The Blue Origin New Shepard vehicle is constructed around a high degree of automation. This automation means that the core functions of piloting, navigation, and system maintenance are handled by the automated systems of the craft itself. Consequently, passengers like Jeff Bezos function primarily as participants rather than operators, requiring minimal or no input concerning the mission-critical execution of the flight profile, which is a key reason their status is debated against traditional astronaut definitions.
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