Imagine trading in your rocket-failure investigator hat for a seat in space! That's precisely the journey Hans Koenigsmann, a veteran of SpaceX, is about to embark on. It all started with a simple question, as he recounts, "Do you think I could be an astronaut?" This sparked a chain of events leading him to consider a flight with Blue Origin's New Shepard. The question came from his friend, and then he thought, 'Well, let me talk to people I know.'
Koenigsmann's path to space wasn't a solo mission; it was paved with conversations. He reached out to Audrey Powers, a Blue Origin engineer, who enthusiastically supported the idea. This led Koenigsmann to a significant realization: he could, too, pursue this dream. "Actually, I think I can do this, too," he stated.
His reasoning? It wouldn't preclude him from future orbital flights. He'd pondered this extensively, considering his risk-taking nature and the complexities of both SpaceX and Blue Origin. He consulted numerous people, and remarkably, not a single person advised against it. He even sought opinions from those outside his immediate circle, and the consensus was clear: "Well, why not?" This collective support ultimately led to his participation in the mission.
But here's where it gets controversial... The decision wasn't made lightly. Ars questioned Koenigsmann about his primary concerns, encompassing safety and the shift from his two-decade tenure at SpaceX to flying with Blue Origin.
Koenigsmann admitted to considering "all of the above." He acknowledged his familiarity with SpaceX's safety protocols, having investigated all of their rocket failures. To gain further insight, he spoke with several Blue Origin employees, all of whom expressed confidence in New Shepard. The ultimate test for Koenigsmann was a simple yet profound question: would he allow his children to fly on it? After meeting with the team and posing numerous technical safety questions, he felt reassured by their thoughtful and accurate responses.
What are your thoughts? Do you think Koenigsmann's experience with SpaceX provided a unique perspective on safety, or does the shift to a competitor raise any concerns? Share your opinions in the comments below!
