Blue Origin’s Glenn Rocket Launched, Challenging SpaceX

Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit after several years of delays. The 322-foot rocket, named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth in 1962, reached a major milestone with its maiden launch. Within 15 minutes of liftoff, New Glenn crossed the Kármán line, officially entering space and achieving its primary objective.

While the launch faced a few minor delays, including one caused by a stray boat in the area, it ultimately achieved a successful liftoff.

The reusable booster, designed to land on the floating platform "Jacklyn" in the Atlantic Ocean, did not successfully land—a goal considered ambitious for the inaugural flight.

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp commented that while the company was proud to achieve orbit on the first attempt, they were mindful of the challenges involved in recovering the booster. A future landing attempt is planned for the next New Glenn launch, expected in the spring.

The second stage of the New Glenn rocket, NG-1, successfully reached its final orbit after performing two engine burns.

The rocket's payload was the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a vehicle designed to test technology for a transfer vehicle that will deliver satellites to their designated orbits. The vehicle is capable of carrying up to 3,000 kilograms of payload. The mission aims to gather data for future satellite launches. Blue Origin has agreements with companies like Amazon and AST SpaceMobile to launch satellites into orbit.

In addition to satellite launches, Blue Origin is also developing plans for a space station called Orbital Reef, which will be part of the company’s long-term vision for the commercial space industry.

Blue Origin’s launch of New Glenn comes amid ongoing competition with SpaceX, which is also developing a mega-rocket, Starship. The Starship rocket, measuring 400 feet in height, was scheduled for its seventh test flight on the same day as the New Glenn launch but was delayed.

The New Glenn rocket has been under development since 2012, with the project officially announced in 2016.