Blue Origin is gearing up for the first orbital launch of its New Glenn rocket, scheduled for Monday at 1 a.m. ET (0600 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The launch will be live-streamed on Blue Origin’s YouTube channel and website.
Standing 98 meters tall, the New Glenn rocket is designed as a heavy-lift vehicle, capable of carrying satellites into orbit. With seven BE-4 engines, the rocket generates over double the power of SpaceX’s Falcon 9. This inaugural mission will carry Blue Origin’s Blue Ring Pathfinder technology but will not deploy any satellites.
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As the rocket launches, the first-stage booster will separate from the upper stage and attempt a controlled landing on a recovery platform named Jacklyn. The booster will reignite its engines before landing, deploying its legs for a safe touchdown. Meanwhile, the upper stage will continue toward orbit.
A successful mission would mark a significant milestone for Blue Origin and position the company as a serious competitor to SpaceX in the commercial space sector. Even if the booster fails to land, the mission can still be deemed a success if the upper stage reaches the intended orbit.
The New Glenn’s success could also impact the space launch industry, especially as demand grows for larger and multiple payloads in a single launch.
