A Milestone in Space Exploration
A Milestone in Space Exploration Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has unveiled its advanced heavy-lift vehicle, the New Glenn, for the first time at Launch Complex 36 (LC-36). This event marks a significant milestone in space exploration and showcases the rocket that is poised to support a myriad of missions, including NASA’s ambitious Artemis program aimed at returning humans to the Moon. The New Glenn, named in honor of John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, stands as a testament to innovation and engineering excellence.
Design and Capabilities of New Glenn
A Milestone in Space Exploration The New Glenn rocket towers over 320 feet (98 meters) high, equivalent to a 30-story building, and is equipped with a seven-meter payload fairing. This design enables it to accommodate twice the volume of standard five-meter class commercial launch systems, making it capable of housing large payloads, such as three school buses. Central to its design is the reusable first stage, engineered for a minimum of 25 missions. The stage will land on a sea-based platform located approximately 620 miles (1,000 km) downrange, emphasizing Blue Origin’s commitment to sustainability and cost reduction in space launches. Powered by seven of Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines, the most potent liquid oxygen (LOX) / liquefied natural gas (LNG) engines developed since the era of Saturn V’s F1 engines, New Glenn sets a new standard for performance and efficiency with its cleaner-burning and higher-performing fuel system.
Testing and Customers
A Milestone in Space Exploration The rollout and upending of New Glenn on the pad is part of a comprehensive test campaign designed to prepare for its first launch. This includes a series of manufacturing and integrated test milestones, such as vehicle integration, transport, ground support, and launch operations. Although these tests do not require engines, which are currently undergoing hotfiring at the historic 4670 Test Stand in Huntsville and Launch Site One in West Texas, they are crucial for validating the vehicle’s capabilities. A Milestone in Space Exploration The campaign will conclude with demonstrations of cryogenic fluid loading, pressure control, and the vehicle’s venting systems. A Milestone in Space Exploration Blue Origin has announced that New Glenn has several customers lined up, including NASA, Project Kuiper, Telesat, and Eutelsat. Furthermore, the company is in the process of certifying New Glenn with the U.S. Space Force for the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program, thereby meeting the nation’s emerging security needs in space.