Blue Origin
Blue Origin successfully launched the New Glenn rocket in first attempt
On January 16, Blue Origin successfully launched the inaugural flight of its New Glenn heavy-duty rocket from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Florida.
Prior to this launch, the company rescheduled the counter twice due to additional checks and clearing out a boat near the launch area. However, the rocket eventually received a go for launch.
New Glenn lifted off after fighting its seven BE-4 engines firing at full power, generating 3.85 million LBF of thrust, each powering 550,000 lbf to lift the rocket from the launch pad. One BE-4 engine is 3.81 meters tall and 1.93 meters wide. It has deep throttle capability with a single-shaft pump.
New Glenn’s first main engine cut-off and stage separation both confirmed! The booster will begin coasting for approximately four minutes. Coming up, second stage ignition.
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) January 16, 2025
The integrated flight reached a high altitude, performed a successful hot-staging, and sent back the rocket to its landing site.
On its way back to the droneship, the first stage performed several pre-landing tasks while maintaining its descent trajectory. However, the company failed to perform the first stage landing on the droneship while descent.
Blue Origin New Glenn Liftoff
The second stage headed to orbit with the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload. The company has prepared this stage with two BE-3U startable engines with back-to-back turbine assembly.
It’s also the first time the company inserted its second stage into orbit. After the fairing jettison, the company activates the payload and reorients the second stage for coasting.
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