Blue Origin launched its new heavy-lift rocket, New Glenn, on its inaugural flight, sending an experimental satellite into orbit.
Blue Origin successfully launched its massive New Glenn rocket on its first test flight from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on January 16, 2025. The 320-foot (98-meter) rocket carried an experimental platform designed to host satellites or release them into their proper orbits. All seven main engines ignited at liftoff, propelling the rocket through the predawn sky to the delight of spectators on nearby beaches.
Blue Origin employees erupted in cheers and applause when the craft successfully reached orbit 13 minutes later. A feat that was quickly praised by SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, observed the launch from Mission Control, eagerly watching New Glenn soar from his vantage point. The satellite aboard New Glenn was intended to remain within the second stage while orbiting Earth for six hours. After completing its orbital mission, the second stage would be placed in a safe, high orbit to minimize space debris, following NASA's established practices. While the first-stage booster missed its targeted landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean, a crucial step for reusability, the company emphasized that the primary objective of the test flight was for the satellite to reach orbit. Bezos, speaking before the launch, acknowledged the ambitious nature of attempting a booster landing on the inaugural flight.This launch marked a significant milestone for Blue Origin, which has been developing New Glenn since 2021. The rocket is designed to transport spacecraft to the edge of space and beyond. Before New Glenn, Blue Origin conducted shorter test flights from Texas using smaller rockets named after Alan Shepard, the first American in space. New Glenn, named after John Glenn, is five times taller and significantly more powerful. Blue Origin invested over $1 billion in New Glenn's launch site, revitalizing historic Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, strategically located just 9 miles (14 kilometers) from the company's control centers and rocket factory. The site's proximity to NASA's Kennedy Space Center underscores the importance of collaboration and shared goals within the space industry. Blue Origin anticipates six to eight New Glenn flights throughout 2025, with the next launch scheduled for spring. Bezos, while declining to disclose his personal investment in the program, expressed optimism about the future of space exploration, stating that there is room for multiple companies to succeed and contribute to lowering the cost of accessing space. The New Glenn launch aligns with a broader trend of ambitious new rocket developments, including United Launch Alliance's Vulcan, Europe's upgraded Ariane 6, and NASA's Space Launch System (SLS), designed to send astronauts back to the moon. SpaceX's Starship, the largest rocket currently under development, stands as another prominent contender in the race to push the boundaries of space exploration. Musk's ultimate goal for Starship is to establish a permanent human presence on Mars
BLUE ORIGIN NEW GLENN ROCKET LAUNCH SPACE EXPLORATION ORBITAL FLIGHT JEFF BEZOS SPACE RACE SPACEX STARSHIP NASA MARS
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