Blue Origin is preparing for one of its biggest launches yet as the Jeff Bezos-owned commercial space company attempts to send its 320-foot-tall New Glenn rocket into space for the first time.
The launch comes after almost a decade of development, and its outcome could threaten the dominance of Elon Musk’s SpaceX, particularly in the commercial space industry and satellite internet business. Here’s what you need to know about the New Glenn flight and how to watch it live.
What is New Glenn, and why is it important?
The New Glenn rocket, named after astronaut John Glenn, is designed to carry cargo, satellites, and eventually humans into space.
Key features include:
- Powered by seven BE-4 engines running on liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen.
- A reusable first stage capable of vertical landings on sea platforms for up to 25 missions.
- An upper stage with a carrying capacity of 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit.
If successful, the New Glenn rocket could intensify Blue Origin’s competition with SpaceX, particularly in vying for lucrative government contracts. It also plays a pivotal role in Amazon’s Project Kuiper, aimed at competing with SpaceX’s Starlink satellite internet network.
What to expect from New Glenn’s first launch
The rocket is scheduled to launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a three-hour launch window opening on January 13 at 1AM ET. Weather-related delays pushed the original launch date from January 10 to January 13.
During this uncrewed mission, the New Glenn rocket will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload, designed to test the company’s Blue Ring spacecraft capabilities, including refueling, hosting, data relay, and cloud computing.
Blue Origin CEO David Limp noted that reaching orbit is the primary goal for this launch, with landing the reusable booster as an added bonus.
How to watch New Glenn’s launch live
Blue Origin is expected to stream the launch live on its website and YouTube channel. Once available, the stream will allow audiences worldwide to witness this milestone event.
