A formidable competitor to SpaceX’s dominance is preparing for its most pivotal moment. Nearly 25 years after Jeff Bezos founded Blue Origin, the company stands ready to launch a rocket to orbit for the first time.
The New Glenn rocket is scheduled for liftoff as early as 1 a.m. ET Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. Blue Origin will broadcast the event live on social media, YouTube, and its website, with coverage beginning about an hour before launch.
Delays and Technical Strengths
The initial launch attempt, planned for early Sunday, was delayed due to unfavorable weather at sea. This area is vital for recovering part of the rocket post-launch. Now, the 320-foot (98-meter) New Glenn rocket is set to make its debut.
This rocket marks a milestone for Blue Origin. It’s the company’s first capable of launching satellites and among the world’s most powerful rockets. A heavy-lift vehicle, New Glenn generates over twice the thrust of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 during liftoff.
On its uncrewed mission, the rocket will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a Blue Origin-developed demonstration technology, into orbit. If successful, this launch could solidify Blue Origin’s ability to compete with SpaceX in the commercial launch market.
Key Launch Events
During the launch, seven BE-4 engines will ignite, powering the rocket’s first-stage booster. After a few minutes, the booster will separate, allowing the upper stage and its payload to continue toward orbit.
The booster will attempt a controlled landing on the Jacklyn, a sea-based platform named after Bezos’ mother. Fins and strakes will guide its descent, while reignited engines and six landing legs will ensure stability upon touchdown.
Meanwhile, the rocket’s upper stage will fire space-optimized engines to reach orbital speeds of 17,500 miles per hour. This phase of the mission will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder experiment, which will remain attached to the upper stage throughout the six-hour journey.
Risks and Opportunities
The mission faces significant risks. Blue Origin has only tested the BE-4 engines for 24 seconds in ground trials. During this flight, they must operate far longer to overcome Earth’s gravity.
A failure could occur at any point, potentially triggering the rocket’s self-destruct mechanism to protect public safety. However, even a partial success—such as safely reaching orbit without recovering the booster—would demonstrate critical progress for Blue Origin.
Transforming the Market
If New Glenn succeeds, it could reshape the space launch industry. Caleb Henry, director of research at Quilty Space, highlights the growing demand for heavy-lift vehicles like New Glenn. These rockets are crucial for launching large satellite constellations more efficiently than smaller rockets.
Industry trends have shifted away from lightweight rockets. Operators now prefer larger vehicles that can deploy more satellites in a single mission, reducing costs and speeding up deployment timelines.
“They’re positioning themselves to become a reliable launch provider for the industry,” Henry said.
As New Glenn approaches its historic debut, the mission’s outcome could determine Blue Origin’s future in the competitive space market.
