Blue Origin Integrates first and second stage of New Glenn rocket

Today, Blue Origin has integrated the New Glenn rocket’s first and second stage at its integration facility in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

The image shared by the company revealed the assembly as the second stage sits on top of the first stage while the vehicle remains horizontal. This is the first time, Blue Origin has assembled a rocket with engines, which is a huge milestone.

Integrated first and second stage of Blue Origin New Glenn rocket (Credit – Blue Origin)

Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO has posted a new shot on the second stage’s two vacuum engines. These are designed to fly the upper stage in orbit and each of them generates 160,000 lbf (7212) of vacuum thrust.

So great to see! Another photo here of #NewGlenn’s two BE-3U engines right before integration. In the vacuum of space, the BE-3U’s nozzles release hydrogen-rich steam at speeds of roughly 10,000 mph. These vacuum nozzles are a big, 114.5 inches long. https://t.co/FUBven2i51 pic.twitter.com/yPWhTsudsk

— Dave Limp (@davill) November 12, 2024

These two engines use liquid oxygen as propellent and it is an upgraded version of the BE-3 PM engine used in New Shepard.

On the other hand, the first stage will liftoff the vehicle with its seven BE-4 engines filled with liquid oxygen. Each of these BE-4s generates 550,000 lbf thrust at sea level with deep-throttle capability.

Once combined (including fairings) the rocket stands tall at more than 320 ft (98 meters). Its fairing is five meters tall and it can carry payloads into high-energy orbits with more than 13 metric tons of capacity to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO).

Blue Origin has scheduled the first New Glenn flight in November this year but we’ll have to wait for a specific date and time window for the liftoff.