According to engineers, most rockets are phallic-shaped because there’s not much that comprises a sub-orbital ship: at the top is a mushroom-shaped capsule, followed by several fuel tanks stacked atop one another, with the engine at the bottom. Plus, the shape of a rocket has to be aerodynamic to reduce drag, in the same way common projectiles like bullets do.

However, Blue Origin’s New Shepard is even more phallic-looking for other reasons besides being the best design choice. The fuel tanks were more slender than other rockets, since it was only traveling to the Kármán line, some 62 miles above the Earth's surface, while the bulbous capsule’s cabin was optimized for leg room and the best viewing experience.