Blue Origin successfully launches New Glenn
New Glenn 18 seconds after liftoff
Better late than never! After almost a decade of development and five years behind schedule, Blue Origin tonight successfully launched its massive New Glenn orbital rocket, placing its second stage into orbit carrying a demo version of the company’s Blue Ring orbital tug.
It appears the first stage had a problem during what Blue Origin calls its “booster reentry burn”, which appears somewhat equivalent to SpaceX’s entry burn. Unfortunately no camera views were made available. From that point no further telemetry came down from the first stage, suggesting something had gone wrong enough to require initiation of the flight termination system so the stage would not crash on the landing barge.
The second stage will operate in orbit for six hours, testing Blue Ring.
For Blue Origin this success, though late, is a grand achievement. The company has a full launch manifest, with a 27-launch contract with Amazon for its Kuiper internet constellation. It also has a deal with the Space Force to get the rocket certified for military launches, once it completes two successful launches. Once certified the Space Force very much wants to use it, a lot.
America now has three major rocket companies, SpaceX, ULA, and Blue Origin. It also has Rocket Lab, which has a smaller rocket but intends to introduce its own larger version in 2025.
The 2025 launch race:
8 SpaceX
2 China
1 Blue Origin
Nor is the launch action over. Tomorrow SpaceX will attempt the seventh orbital test launch of its Starship/Superheavy rocket, the one-hour launch window opening at 4 pm Central.
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Congratulations Blue Origin! Beautiful launch!
@Bob Zimmerman – you said that there are three launch companies and named NEw Glenn as one Company is Blue Origin, booster is New Glenn. I assume, even in your timezone, that was a late launch.
Congrats to Blue! The more the merrier! Competition will bring out good things.
Since the booster didn’t land, will there be an FAA investigation?
Half joking. Half serious.
geoffic: Fixed. Blame it on the late hour. Thanks!
Gary asks: “Since the booster didn’t land, will there be an FAA investigation?”
By the current regulatory standard, yes, one is required. Of course unlike with SpaceX, there is no chance that they will be ready for a another launch before it is completed, so it is basically of no consequence. It will still be interesting to see if one happens, how quickly, etc.
Robert, your posting above is dated the 16th. Thus, I believe you mean that later today Starship is scheduled to launch.
Michael McNeil: I wrote the post last night, late, before going to bed, so from my perspective, the Starship test launch WAS the next day.
These are minor problems that exist in reporting an industry that functions 24 hours.
Robert, sure I understand. I mention it only in case someone might otherwise tune in Friday afternoon thinking they’re going to see the launch (which, of course, they might—if it’s delayed).
Nice launch but i am spoiled and want far more technical details.
Nice to see the second stage working well.
Too bad about the first stage recovery. but not unexpected for a first time try.