New Glenn completes first stage recovery operations simulation

Blue Origin has completed a new milestone in New Glenn rocket development and simulated the first stage of recovery operations at Port Canaveral.

Through this demonstration, the company showed its process of transitioning New Glenn’s first stage from vertical to horizontal using a 200-foot-tall simulator.

“The operation validated our tooling and procedures for recovering our first stage from the landing vessel, bringing us another step closer to our first launch,” wrote Blue Origin.

New Glenn’s First Stage on Mobile Harbor Crane (Source – X/Twitter)

“Quite a sight in the port today (here is a closer view), and a great effort by our team there. The mobile harbor crane, remotely-operated lift tool or “ROLT,” and the breakover fixture work in tandem to lift and reorient the booster from vertical to horizontal” said Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin.

This entire recovery process contributes to the company’s capability to return the first stage to its factory to refurbish and re-fly with a new mission.

Limp also mentioned that the full recovery rehearsal with the landing vessel will be happening very soon. Blue Origin is planning to fly this heavy-lift rocket later this year.