Blue Origin Unveils New Glenn Rocket for Inaugural Launch later this Year

Blue Origin, the space company founded by former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has unveiled its newest rocket, New Glenn, on the launch pad in preparation for its inaugural launch later this year. The rocket will undergo a series of tests while standing upright for at least a week before its first mission.

 Blue Origin has made a name for itself in the space industry with its successful New Shepard spacecraft, and now looks to expand its capabilities with New Glenn. According to a statement from Blue Origin, New Glenn is a heavy-lift vehicle designed to meet the increasing demands for satellite launches. The rocket will support a variety of missions, including NASA's Artemis program to return astronauts to the Moon.

 The launch vehicle features a seven-meter payload fairing and will undergo tests to ensure smooth integration, transport, and launch operations. While the rocket has been raised on the launch pad, its engine is still undergoing testing at the Launch Site One in West Texas. The development and testing of New Glenn have been a meticulous process, with the rocket's first-stage modules transported from the factory to the Integration Facility nine miles away. 

The tests will continue in the coming weeks, with a focus on cryogenic fluid loading, pressure control, and venting systems. Standing at 98 meters tall, New Glenn is equipped with a large payload fairing that can accommodate three school buses' worth of equipment. The rocket also features a reusable first stage capable of up to 25 missions, landing on a sea-based platform similar to SpaceX's Falcon-9.

 Powered by Blue Origin's BE-4 engines, which utilize liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas for fuel, New Glenn is environmentally friendly and high-performing compared to traditional rocket fuels. Blue Origin has multiple New Glenn rockets in production and a lineup of customers, including NASA, Project Kuiper, Telesat, and Eutelsat.

 Additionally, the company is seeking certification from the US Space Force for National Security Space Launch missions. With New Glenn set to make its debut launch later this year, Blue Origin aims to solidify its position as a key player in the space travel industry.