Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is set for its first orbital launch on Monday at 1 a.m. (0600 GMT) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with a live-stream available on the company’s YouTube and website.
At 98 meters tall, New Glenn is a heavy-lift rocket capable of deploying satellites into orbit. Equipped with seven BE-4 engines, it provides more than twice the thrust of SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
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This mission will carry Blue Origin’s Blue Ring Pathfinder technology to orbit without deploying a satellite. Shortly after launch, the rocket’s first-stage booster will separate and attempt a controlled landing on a platform called Jacklyn, using fins and strakes to guide its descent.
The upper stage of the rocket will continue its journey into orbit, firing two engines to achieve the required speeds. A successful launch would establish Blue Origin as a formidable contender in the commercial space sector. Although the BE-4 engines have been tested on the ground, this mission will mark their first full-duration test.
In the event of any failure, the rocket is designed to self-destruct to prevent risk to people and property. Even if the booster fails to land, the mission can still be deemed successful if the upper stage reaches orbit.
The success of the New Glenn rocket could significantly impact the space launch industry, as heavy-lift rockets are increasingly in demand for launching larger satellites or multiple payloads simultaneously. Blue Origin’s success would strengthen its reputation as a reliable launch provider.
