A potential rival to SpaceX’s dominance in space exploration is ready for its biggest test yet. Nearly 25 years after its founding by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin is preparing for a historic moment: the launch of its New Glenn rocket, aiming to reach orbit for the first time.
The rocket is scheduled to launch as early as 1 a.m. ET Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. A live broadcast of the event will start about an hour before liftoff on social media platforms, Blue Origin’s YouTube channel, and its website, as per the company’s statement.
The initial launch attempt was postponed due to unfavorable sea conditions that might affect recovery operations. With a towering height of 320 feet (98 meters), New Glenn is Blue Origin’s first rocket capable of carrying satellites to space. It stands among the most powerful rockets globally, with over double the liftoff thrust of SpaceX’s Falcon 9.
Aiming for Orbit and Beyond
The uncrewed mission will carry demonstration technology called Blue Ring Pathfinder to orbit. If successful, this launch could enhance Blue Origin’s competitive position in the commercial space sector, challenging SpaceX’s long-held leadership.
To power the liftoff, the rocket’s seven BE-4 engines will ignite, propelling the first-stage booster. After burning most of its fuel, the booster will separate from the upper rocket stage. Equipped with fins and winglike strakes, the booster will steer itself toward a landing platform named Jacklyn, honoring Jeff Bezos’ mother. Before landing, it will deploy its legs and reignite some engines for a controlled touchdown. This maneuver mirrors SpaceX’s reusable booster system and aims to cut launch costs.
Meanwhile, the upper stage carrying the Blue Ring Pathfinder will continue into orbit. Two vacuum-optimized engines will fire to reach orbital speeds of about 17,500 miles per hour. For this mission, the payload will remain attached to the rocket during its six-hour flight.
The Stakes and Challenges
Blue Origin faces high stakes as success is uncertain. New Glenn has only fired all seven BE-4 engines for 24 seconds during a ground test. To reach orbit, these engines must sustain performance for much longer. If the rocket strays off course, Blue Origin may activate a self-destruct mechanism to ensure public safety.
Landing the booster on Jacklyn is another key test, but failing this step wouldn’t doom the mission. Reusability is aimed at cost reduction, and most competitors, apart from SpaceX, dispose of their boosters after launch.
If New Glenn completes its mission and demonstrates reliability, it could reshape the space industry. Caleb Henry, research director at Quilty Space, highlights the growing demand for heavy-lift rockets like New Glenn. In contrast to past expectations of small rockets dominating the market, operators now prefer larger vehicles that can launch numerous or larger satellites in a single mission.
With New Glenn’s success, Blue Origin could position itself as a leading, reliable launch provider, marking a significant milestone in space exploration history.
