Blue Origin’s highly anticipated New Glenn rocket has reached a major milestone, standing tall on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base in Florida. The towering height of the rocket was visible even from space, as satellite images captured the impressive sight on Valentine’s Day.
The New Glenn rocket, when fully stacked, stands at an impressive height of over 320 feet (98 meters) and has a payload capacity of 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit (LEO). This next-generation launch vehicle is designed to be reusable, with its first stage powered by seven powerful BE-4 rocket engines built by Blue Origin. Interestingly, two BE-4 engines also power the first stage of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket, which successfully launched for the first time last month.
Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has been diligently working on the development of the New Glenn rocket for over a decade. However, the project has faced several delays, pushing back its original debut by more than three years. With the booster simulator now standing upright on the launchpad, Blue Origin’s goal of launching the New Glenn in 2024 is finally within reach.
The sight of the New Glenn rocket standing tall at Launch Complex 36 is truly awe-inspiring. Satellite images captured by Earth imaging company Planet’s SkySat C2 showcase the rocket’s towering presence along the eastern shores of Cape Canaveral. The high-resolution picture reveals New Glenn’s white body stretching across the pad, casting a shadow over nearby buildings. Another satellite image, taken using the synthetic aperture radar (SAR) of the Umbra-05 satellite, provides a closer view of the launch complex, highlighting the rocket and adjacent lightning towers in white.
Not only have satellites captured this momentous occasion, but NASA Spaceflight photographer Max Evans also managed to capture an image of New Glenn standing proudly at the launchpad. Evans expressed his excitement for the rocket’s future, stating, “We cannot wait to see you fly, New Glenn.”
The debut launch of New Glenn in 2024 would join the growing list of private spaceflight activities taking place on Florida’s Space Coast. However, there is still uncertainty surrounding when the rocket will finally take flight after years of development. While the rocket’s two stages were joined together earlier this year, its debut flight has been delayed multiple times. The first flight of New Glenn is currently scheduled to carry NASA’s EscaPADE Mars mission, with liftoff planned for August 2024.
As we eagerly await the inaugural launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, the space industry is buzzing with anticipation. This next-generation launch vehicle promises to revolutionize space exploration with its impressive capabilities and reusability. With its towering height and powerful engines, the New Glenn is set to make a significant impact in the realm of private spaceflight.