This article provides an overview of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, its first launch, and the company’s plans for the future. Here are the main points:
New Glenn Rocket
- New Glenn is a heavy-lift rocket designed to be partially reusable
- It has a booster that can propulsively land on a sea-based platform
- The rocket features two large strakes towards the aft and four fins towards the top for attitude control during descent
- Not all seven engines will be used during the landing burn, likely three or four
First Launch
- The first launch of New Glenn is scheduled to take place on Monday, with a mission called “So You’re Telling Me There’s A Chance”
- The main goal of this launch is to gather flight data on the rocket
- Landing and recovery of the booster are not expected to happen on the first try
Future Plans
- Blue Origin has four other New Glenn launches planned for 2025, including two pathfinder missions for its Blue Moon lander and a mission for Amazon Kuiper satellite internet
- The company hopes to use New Glenn to launch its Orbital Reef space station and tap into the market of commercial launch contracts
- New Glenn will also be used to launch NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars
Importance of New Glenn
- Blue Origin needs a heavy-lift rocket like New Glenn to build large structures in space and achieve its goals
- The current market is dominated by SpaceX, and New Glenn provides a cost-competitive alternative
- The US government will be a big customer for New Glenn, as it hopes to diversify who it launches its national security missions with
Launch Details
- The launch can be viewed from Cocoa Beach and Jetty Park Pier, but parking will be limited
- The booster’s landing burn is not expected to be visible to the naked eye, as it will take place over the horizon
- Blue Origin’s sea-based landing platform, Jacklyn, has been towed out to sea for the launch
Overall, this article provides a comprehensive overview of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and its first launch. It highlights the importance of this launch for the company’s future plans and the potential impact on the space industry as a whole.