Read more at source.
Read more at source.
The New Glenn rocket, first announced in 2016, is designed to transport cargo, satellites, and eventually, humans into space. It is named after John Glenn, the first NASA astronaut to orbit the Earth. The rocket's first stage is powered by seven of Blue Origin's powerful BE-4 engines, which run on liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen. The company plans to reuse New Glenn's first stage for at least 25 missions. The upper stage, which carries Blue Origin's payload, is disposable and capable of sending 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit.
The New Glenn has a carrying capacity similar to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket but boasts a larger, 23-foot-wide cargo bay. If the launch is successful, it could intensify the competition between Blue Origin and SpaceX as both companies vie for lucrative government contracts.
The New Glenn is integral to Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite internet initiative. While the initial set of satellites is scheduled for launch aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, Blue Origin will eventually launch Project Kuiper satellites aboard New Glenn. This move could rival SpaceX's Starlink. Amazon plans to send 3,236 Project Kuiper satellites into space, a number still far less than Starlink's constellation of over 6,000 satellites.
The New Glenn is set to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a three-hour launch window opening on January 13th at 1AM ET. The launch was delayed due to unfavorable sea conditions in the Atlantic. The uncrewed launch will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a payload consisting of a communications array, a power system, and a flight computer. The goal is for New Glenn to reach orbit, with landing its reusable booster considered a bonus.
If New Glenn's launch is successful, it could heat up its rivalry with SpaceX as both companies vie to secure lucrative government contracts.
