Comments on: Blue Origin completes first full dress rehearsal countdown and static fire test of New Glenn

By: Jeff Wright

Jeff Wright — Mon, 30 Dec 2024 00:57:59 +0000

I do hope Elon and Jeff work together

By: Mark

Mark — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 22:23:28 +0000

I wish BO luck making orbit but give it a 50/50 chance with the 2nd stage using new engines. Furthermore, I predict a 10% chance of landing the booster on the barge on the first try. If they make it that far, it will probably be a soft or hard sea landing.

I watched the static fire multiple times and was amazed that they ran the engines up to 100% given the lack of a bright exhaust plume that is the norm with watching numerous SpX static fires. It looked to me more like a spin prime test visually because even a F9 static fire seems more visually “energetic” than the 45 seconds New Glenn static fire. That said, I hope they are successful and look forward to their first launch.

By: Ray Van Dune

Ray Van Dune — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 16:43:23 +0000

I’m glad to see that the Musk-Bezos relationship seems to be more cordial than after SpaceX first landed a Falcon 9 first stage! Bezos tweeted to Musk “Welcome to the club”, which many (including me) thought was pretty cheeky, considering that the Falcon 9 is an orbital class booster, while New Shepard was suborbital.

Of course, New Shepard is still the only vehicle BO has ever launched, a situation that will hopefully soon change!

By: Richard M

Richard M — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 11:17:27 +0000

The NSF guys on their stream identified what they thought appeared to be as many as 4 failed attempts at a static fire. Hard to be sure, but I think there’s a general sense based on what was happening on the pad that they had somewhat of a struggle to execute this fire.

But they finally did, and it’s great to see.

Doesn’t seem like they will make the 2024 target after all; Berger’s Law* is vindicated yet again. But if they can launch in the next few weeks, I think they have to be happy. Assuming it is a successful launch, of course. Executing the first stage landing would be a bonus (and probably an unlikely one).

P.S. There was a nice little exchange between Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk on X last night:

Jeff Bezos: Next stop launch
Elon Musk: Godspeed!
Jeff Bezos: [Prayer emoji]

https://x.com/JeffBezos/status/1872835817523270078

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* Coined by Eric Berger: “If rocket is predicted to make its debut in Q4 of a calendar year, and that quarter is six or more months away, the launch will be delayed.”

By: David Eastman

David Eastman — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 07:30:51 +0000

They apparently have been working on this WDR for several weeks ago, and have had to delay due to everything from inability to get consumables delivered in the quantities they needed to unspecified technical problems with both the rocket and the launch complex. They’ve worked through the issues and had a good test today, and I wish them luck, but the odds of them getting even a nearly perfect flight when they’re still having show stopper issues this close to launch are rather low.

For SpaceX, even a partially successful flight is a mission success, because that’s how they operate and that’s the expectations they set. BO on the other hand really needs to get to orbit on the first try, both because that’s the culture they represent, and also their launch manifest is starting to look really tight already.

By: john hare

john hare — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 07:15:59 +0000

Here’s hoping for a successful flight. Though I have my doubts based mainly on the lack of track record for several simultaneous firsts. If wrong, I’ll take my crow roasted with a side of bbq sauce.

By: GeorgeC

GeorgeC — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 03:59:27 +0000

I hope they have good camera feeds especially on the Landing Platform Vessel #1 for the first stage return of New Glenn.
Jan 6th is the
Feast of the Epiphany.