New Glenn

{{Short description|Partially-reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle by Blue Origin}} {{Merge from |1=2026 New Glenn rocket explosion |target=New Glenn |afd=2026 New Glenn rocket explosion |date =May 2026 }} {{Use American English|date=September 2016}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox rocket | name = Blue Origin New Glenn | image = New Glenn - BlueBird 7 Launch (9628276).jpg | caption = A launch of a New Glenn 7×2 carrying Bluebird 7, on April 19, 2026 | function = Heavy to super heavy-lift launch vehicle | manufacturer = Blue Origin | country-origin = United States | pcost = At least {{US$|2.5 billion|link=yes}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 30, 2019 |title=Blue Origin Studying Repurposing of New Glenn Upper Stages |url=https://www.space.com/blue-origin-studying-repurposing-of-new-glenn-upper-stages.html |last=Foust |first=Jeff |website=Space.com |access-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-date=April 26, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240426232850/https://www.space.com/blue-origin-studying-repurposing-of-new-glenn-upper-stages.html |url-status=live }}</ref> | cpl = {{US$|68–110 million}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Amazon signs massive rocket deal with 3 firms, including Bezos' Blue Origin, to launch internet satellites |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |url=https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/04/05/amazon-signs-rocket-deal-with-blue-origin-arianespace-ula-for-project-kuiper-internet-satellites.html |website=CNBC |access-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-date=June 11, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240611033334/https://www.cnbc.com/amp/2022/04/05/amazon-signs-rocket-deal-with-blue-origin-arianespace-ula-for-project-kuiper-internet-satellites.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bogaisky |first=Jeremy |title=With New Glenn Launch, Bezos Looks To Break Musk's Stranglehold On Space |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeremybogaisky/2025/01/11/new-glenn-bezos-blue-origin-musk-spacex/ |access-date=January 14, 2025 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> | height = {{cvt|98|m}}<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 3, 2020 |title=Inside look at the New Glenn 7 meter fairing |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaEYpzSu8Ck |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210310033623/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaEYpzSu8Ck |archive-date=March 10, 2021 |access-date=January 25, 2021 |website=youtube.com}}</ref> | diameter = {{cvt|7|m}} | mass = | stages = 2 | capacities =  {{Infobox rocket/payload | location = LEO | mass = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: {{cvt|45000|kg}}<ref name="Berger 2017" /><ref name="Foust 2017-03-07">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Eutelsat first customer for Blue Origin's New Glenn |url=http://spacenews.com/eutelsat-first-customer-for-blue-origins-new-glenn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131508/https://spacenews.com/eutelsat-first-customer-for-blue-origins-new-glenn/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=March 30, 2018 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> | 9×4: >{{cvt|70000|kg}}<ref name="Berger 2025" /> }} }}{{Infobox rocket/payload | location = GTO | mass = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: {{cvt|13600|kg}}<ref name="Berger 2017" /><ref name="Foust 2017-03-07" /> }} }}{{Infobox rocket/payload | location = GSO | mass = {{Unbulleted indent list | 9×4: >{{cvt|14000|kg}}<ref name="Berger 2025" /> }} }}{{Infobox rocket/Payload | location = TLI | mass = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: {{cvt|7000|kg}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/Pages/Default.aspx|title=Performance Website - Home|website=elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov|access-date=May 28, 2024|archive-date=October 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028144309/https://elvperf.ksc.nasa.gov/Pages/Default.aspx|url-status=live}}</ref> | 9×4: >{{cvt|20000|kg}}<ref name="Berger 2025" /> }} }} | payloads = {{flatlist| * Blue Ring * Blue Moon * BlueBird (AST SpaceMobile) * Amazon Leo * NSSL }} |comparable = {{flatlist| * {{nowrap|Angara A5}} * {{nowrap|Ariane 6}} * {{nowrap|Falcon Heavy}} * {{nowrap|Long March 5}} * {{nowrap|NGLV}} * {{nowrap|Vulcan Centaur}} }} | status = Inactive | sites = {{Ubli | Cape Canaveral, LC{{nbhyph}}36 (inactive; damaged by explosion) | ''Vandenberg, SLC{{nbhyph}}14 (future)'' }} | launches = 3 | success = 2 | fail = 1 | partial = | landings = 2 / 3 attempts | first = January 16, 2025 | last = April 19, 2026 (BlueBird 7, ''most recent'') | stagedata = {{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | stageno = First | name = GS1 | length = {{cvt|57.5|m}} | propmass = | engines = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: 7 × BE-4<ref name="Reich 2020">{{cite book|last=Reich|first=Eugen|title=Raketen: Die Internationale Enzyklopädie|url=https://www.amazon.com/s?k=9783613042605|year=2020|publisher=Motorbuch Verlag|isbn=978-3-613-04260-5|page=167|access-date=|archive-date=|archive-url=|url-status=}}</ref> | 9×4: 9 × BE-4 }} | thrust = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: {{cvt|19928|kN}} | 9×4: {{cvt|25622|kN}} }} | SI = {{Abbr|vac|in vacuum}}: {{cvt|340|isp}} | burntime = 190 seconds<ref name="Foust 2025">{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=January 11, 2025 |title=A timeline for the Blue Origin New Glenn launch, scheduled for Sunday between 1-4am EST. |url=https://x.com/jeff_foust/status/1878087234420711726 |access-date=January 11, 2025 |website=X (formerly Twitter) |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112144626/https://x.com/jeff_foust/status/1878087234420711726 |url-status=live }}</ref> | fuel = LOX / {{chem2|CH4|link=Liquid methane}} }}{{Infobox rocket/stage | type = stage | stageno = Second | name = GS2 | length = {{cvt|23.4|m}} | propmass = | engines = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: 2 × BE-3U<ref name="Reich 2020"/> | 9×4: 4 × BE-3U }} | thrust = {{Unbulleted indent list | 7×2: {{cvt|1779|kN}} | 9×4: {{cvt|3558|kN}} }} | SI = {{cvt|445|isp}} | burntime = 644 seconds<ref name="Foust 2025"/> | fuel = LOX / {{chem2|LH2|link=Liquid hydrogen}} }} }}

'''New Glenn''' is a family of launch vehicles developed and operated by the American company Blue Origin. The rocket has two configurations, one inactive after a 2026 explosion that damaged the rocket's launch pad, and one under development, both using a two stage partially reusable design with a seven-meter (23 ft) diameter.

Development of New Glenn began before 2013 and was officially announced in 2016. The rocket is named for NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. The inaugural vehicle was unveiled on the launch pad in February 2024. Its first flight, NG-1, took place on January 16, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. Carrying the Blue Ring Pathfinder,<ref name="pathfinder">{{Cite web |title=Blue Ring Pathfinder Payload Ready for Launch; Blue Origin’s New Glenn on Track for This Year {{!}} Blue Origin |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-ring-pathfinder-payload |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251107150831/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-ring-pathfinder-payload |archive-date=November 7, 2025 |access-date=2026-01-03 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US |url-status=live }}</ref> the launch served as the first of several demonstration flights required for certification for the National Security Space Launch program.

As with Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard rocket, New Glenn's first stage is designed for reuse. It lands at sea on a barge called Landing Platform Vessel 1. The first stage achieved its first successful landing on November 13, 2025, during New Glenn's second flight, NG-2. New Glenn is slated to launch Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander on robotic missions, planned for early 2026 and late 2027.

The first version of New Glenn, or '''New Glenn 7×2''', is a heavy-lift launch vehicle. The first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines, while the second stage uses two BE-3U engines; both engine types are designed and built by Blue Origin. It launches from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, with future missions planned from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 9. It is one of three operational US heavy-lift rockets, alongside United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.

A super heavy-lift version called '''New Glenn 9×4''' is in development as of 2025. It has nine BE-4 engines on the first stage, four BE-3U engines on the second stage, and a larger payload fairing measuring {{Convert|8.7|m|sp=us}} in diameter.

== History == Blue Origin, which had begun to develop an orbital rocket system before 2012, said on its website in 2013 that the first stage would do a powered vertical landing and be reusable.<ref name="blueorigin-about20130405" /> It publicly declared orbital launch vehicle intentions in September 2015,<ref name="Foust 2015" /> and four months later said the new rocket would be many times larger than New Shepard, and the first of a Blue Origin family of orbital vehicles.<ref name="Howell 2016" /> In September 2016, Blue Origin released the basic design of the vehicle, declared its intent to build two- and three-stage variants, and announced the name New Glenn.<ref name="Bergin 2016" />

=== Early design work on orbital subsystems === Blue Origin began developing systems for orbital human spacecraft before 2012. A reusable first-stage booster was designed to fly a suborbital trajectory, taking off vertically like the booster stage of a conventional multistage launch vehicle. After stage separation, the upper stage would continue to propel astronauts into orbit, while the first-stage booster would descend to perform a powered vertical landing, similar to its New Shepard suborbital vehicle. From the earliest design concepts, the first-stage booster was intended to be refueled and relaunched to reduce the costs of access to space.<ref name="blueorigin-about20130405" />

The booster launch vehicle was projected to lift Blue Origin's biconic Space Vehicle capsule  to orbit, carrying astronauts and supplies. After completing its mission in orbit, the Space Vehicle was also conceptually designed to reenter Earth's atmosphere and land under parachutes on land, to be reused on future missions.<ref name="blueorigin-about20130405" />

Engine testing for the then-named Reusable Booster System launch vehicle began in 2012. A full-power test of the thrust chamber for Blue Origin BE-3 liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen upper-stage rocket engine (BE-3U) was conducted on a stand at the John C. Stennis Space Center (NASA test facility) in October 2012. The chamber successfully achieved full thrust of {{cvt|100000|lbf|kN|disp=x| (about |)|lk=out}}.<ref name="nsw20121016" /> By early 2018,<ref>{{Cite news |date=March 29, 2018 |title=Blue Origin switches engines for New Glenn second stage |last=Henry|first=Caleb|url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180329194940/http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ |archive-date=March 29, 2018 |access-date=March 30, 2018 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> it was announced that the BE-3U hydrolox engine would power the second stage of the New Glenn.<ref name="Burghardt 2018" />

=== Development === Design work on the vehicle began in 2012, with the beginning of BE-4 engine development. Further plans for an orbital launch vehicle were made public in 2015. In mid-2016, the launch vehicle was briefly referred to publicly by the placeholder name of "'''Very Big Brother'''".<ref name="Berger 2016" /><ref name="Boyle 2016" /> It was stated to be a two-stage-to-orbit liquid-propellant rocket,<ref name="Foust 2015" /> with the launcher intended to be reusable.<ref name="Harwood 2015" /> In early 2016, Blue Origin indicated that the first orbital launch was expected no earlier than 2020 from the Florida launch facility,<ref name="Boyle 2016" /> and in September 2017 continued to forecast a 2020 debut.<ref name="Henry 2017" /> In a February 2016 interview, Blue Origin president Rob Meyerson referred to engine development and orbital launch vehicle milestones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 30, 2015 |title=Blue Origin Reaches Milestone in BE-4 Engine Development |last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-reaches-milestone-in-be-4-engine-development/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131539/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-reaches-milestone-in-be-4-engine-development/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=January 25, 2016 |last=Foust|first=Jeff|title=Blue Origin to ramp up New Shepard tests |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-ramp-up-new-shepard-tests/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131540/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-ramp-up-new-shepard-tests/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=May 13, 2021 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

The vehicle itself, and the high-level specifications, were initially publicly unveiled in September 2016. New Glenn was described as a {{cvt|7|m|adj=on}} diameter, two- or three-stage rocket, with the first and second stages being liquid methane/liquid oxygen (methalox) designs using Blue Origin engines.<ref name="Bergin 2016" /> The first stage is planned to be reusable and will land vertically, just like the New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle that has been flying suborbitally since the mid-2010s. Although these plans would subsequently change, the 2016 plans called for the first stage to be powered by seven of Blue Origin's BE-4 single-shaft oxygen-rich staged combustion<ref name="Clark 2014" /> liquid methane/liquid oxygen rocket engines, the second-stage to be powered by a single vacuum-variant of the BE-4 (BE-4U) and the third stage to use a single BE-3 hydrolox engine.<ref name="Bergin 2016" /> In 2016, the first stage was planned to be designed to be reused for up to 100 flights.<ref name="Berger 2017" /><ref name="Foust 2017-03-07" /> Blue Origin announced that they intended to launch the rocket from Launch Complex 36 (LC-36), and manufacture the launch vehicles at a new facility to be built on nearby land in Exploration Park. Acceptance testing of the BE-4 engines was also announced to be planned for Florida.<ref name="Harwood 2015" />

Blue Origin explained in the September 12, 2016, announcement that the rocket would be named New Glenn in honor of the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth, John Glenn, with an inaugural flight planned no earlier than 2020.<ref name="Bergin 2016" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Victor |first=Daniel |date=September 12, 2016 |title=Meet New Glenn, the Blue Origin Rocket That May Someday Take You to Space |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/business/meet-new-glenn-the-blue-origin-rocket-that-may-someday-take-you-to-space.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915021815/http://www.nytimes.com/2016/09/13/business/meet-new-glenn-the-blue-origin-rocket-that-may-someday-take-you-to-space.html |archive-date=September 15, 2016 |access-date=September 13, 2016 |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Three weeks of wind tunnel testing of a scale model New Glenn were completed in September 2016 in order to validate the CFD design models of transonic and supersonic flight.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Jeff Bezos says Blue Origin's New Glenn orbital rocket aces wind tunnel tests |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-new-glenn-wind-tunnel-tests |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200325174623/https://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-new-glenn-wind-tunnel-tests/ |archive-date=March 25, 2020 |access-date=October 11, 2016 |publisher=GeekWire}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Bezos |first=Jeff |date=September 26, 2016 |title=Exciting results... |url=https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/780348452064595968 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210203014111/https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/780348452064595968 |archive-date=February 3, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2016 |website=twitter.com}}</ref>

In March 2017, Jeff Bezos showed graphics of the New Glenn which had two large strakes at the bottom of the booster.<ref name="SAT-2017">[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNcXhPIwA58 Jeff Bezos' interview at Satellite 2017 (23 min)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201118201435/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WNcXhPIwA58 |date=November 18, 2020 }}, circa March 2017</ref> In the September 2017 announcement, Blue Origin announced a much larger payload fairing for New Glenn, this one {{cvt|7|m}} in diameter, up from {{cvt|5.4|m}} in the originally announced design.<ref name="Henry 2017">{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=September 12, 2017 |title=Blue Origin enlarges New Glenn's payload fairing, preparing to debut upgraded New Shepard |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-enlarges-new-glenns-payload-fairing-preparing-to-debut-upgraded-new-shepard/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131540/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-enlarges-new-glenns-payload-fairing-preparing-to-debut-upgraded-new-shepard/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=October 25, 2017 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref>

thumb|upright=0.25|New Glenn design as of October 2018 By March 2018, the launch vehicle design had changed. It was announced that the New Glenn second stage would now be powered by two vacuum versions of the flight proven BE-3 liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen rocket engine (BE-3U) with a single BE-3U engine for the third stage deep space option. The three-stage booster variant was subsequently cancelled completely in January 2019.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Wall |first=Mike |date=January 22, 2019 |title=Blue Origin Video Shows Off Updated Design of Huge New Glenn Rocket |url=https://www.space.com/43065-blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-design-video.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190125132111/https://www.space.com/43065-blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-design-video.html |archive-date=January 25, 2019 |access-date=January 28, 2019 |publisher=SPACE.com}}</ref> By mid-2018, the low-level design was not yet complete and the likelihood of achieving an initial launch by 2020 was being called into question by company engineers, customers, industry experts, and journalists.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Johnson |first=Eric M. |date=August 2, 2018 |title=Bezos throws cash, engineers at rocket program as space race accelerates |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-blueorigin/bezos-throws-cash-engineers-at-rocket-program-as-space-race-accelerates-idUSKBN1KO0HN |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180803213437/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-blueorigin/bezos-throws-cash-engineers-at-rocket-program-as-space-race-accelerates-idUSKBN1KO0HN |archive-date=August 3, 2018 |access-date=August 4, 2018 |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=July 24, 2018 |title=Four huge rockets are due to debut in 2020 — will any make it? |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/the-year-2020-could-see-the-unheard-of-debut-of-four-big-rockets-or-not/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180806084850/https://arstechnica.com/science/2018/07/the-year-2020-could-see-the-unheard-of-debut-of-four-big-rockets-or-not/ |archive-date=August 6, 2018 |access-date=August 6, 2018 |publisher=Ars Technica |quote=a sense of urgency in Europe about the need to begin flying the Ariane 6 to become more competitive with the likes of SpaceX ... Like ArianeGroup, United Launch Alliance (ULA) has developed a new rocket with the intention to compete with SpaceX.}}</ref> In October 2018, the Air Force announced Blue Origin was awarded $500 million for development of New Glenn as a potential competitor in future contracts, including Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) Phase 2.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erwin |first=Sandra |date=October 10, 2018 |title=Air Force awards launch vehicle development contracts to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, ULA |url=https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-launch-vehicle-development-contracts-to-blue-origin-northrop-grumman-ula/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20181011074001/https://spacenews.com/air-force-awards-launch-vehicle-development-contracts-to-blue-origin-northrop-grumman-ula/ |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=October 11, 2018 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> The October 2018 award was terminated{{why|date=October 2024}} in December 2020 after Blue received $255.5 million of the $500 million.<ref name="spacenewsFe2021">{{Cite web |date=February 25, 2021 |title=Blue Origin delays first launch of New Glenn to late 2022 |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delays-first-launch-of-new-glenn-to-late-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131539/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delays-first-launch-of-new-glenn-to-late-2022/ |archive-date=September 22, 2021 |access-date=February 25, 2021 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref><ref name="Boyle 2018" />

By February 2019, several launches for New Glenn had been contracted: five for OneWeb, an unspecified amount of Telesat, one each for Eutelsat, mu Space Corp and SKY Perfect JSAT.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=February 4, 2019 |title=Telesat taps Blue Origin to launch broadband satellite fleet |url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/02/04/telesat-taps-blue-origin-to-launch-broadband-satellite-fleet/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190425055921/https://spaceflightnow.com/2019/02/04/telesat-taps-blue-origin-to-launch-broadband-satellite-fleet/ |archive-date=April 25, 2019 |access-date=February 4, 2019 |publisher=Spaceflight Now}}</ref><ref name="Foust 2017-09-26" /><ref name="Henry 2017" /><ref name="Clark 2018">{{Cite web |title=Blue Origin's orbital rocket in the running to receive U.S. military investment |last=Clark|first=Stephen|date=April 13, 2018|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/13/blue-origins-orbital-rocket-in-the-running-to-receive-u-s-military-investment/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180429052713/https://spaceflightnow.com/2018/04/13/blue-origins-orbital-rocket-in-the-running-to-receive-u-s-military-investment/ |archive-date=April 29, 2018 |access-date=April 28, 2018 |website=spaceflightnow.com |publisher=Spaceflight Now}}</ref><ref name="Burghardt 2018" /> In February 2019, Blue Origin indicated that no plans to build a reusable second stage were on the company's roadmap.<ref name="Foust 2019" /> In the event, by July 2021, Blue Origin was again evaluating options for getting to a reusable second-stage design: Project Jarvis.<ref name="Berger 2021-07-27">{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=July 27, 2021 |title=Blue Origin has a secret project named "Jarvis" to compete with SpaceX |work=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/07/blue-origin-is-developing-reusable-second-stage-other-advanced-projects/ |access-date=May 31, 2026}}</ref>

In August 2020 the Air Force announced that New Glenn was not selected for the National Security Space Launch Phase 2 launch procurement. Due to this, in February 2021 Blue Origin announced that the first flight would slip to no earlier than late 2022.<ref name="spacenewsFe2021" />

By December 2020, Blue Origin indicated that the BE-4 engine delivery to United Launch Alliance (ULA) would slip to summer 2021, and ULA disclosed that the first launch of the New Glenn competitor ULA Vulcan Centaur would now be no earlier than 4Q 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roulette |first=Joey |date=December 18, 2020 |title=Bezos' Blue Origin to deliver first flight-ready rocket engines next summer – ULA CEO |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-blueorigin-idUSKBN28S0I8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201223032900/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-space-exploration-blueorigin-idUSKBN28S0I8 |archive-date=December 23, 2020 |access-date=January 25, 2021 |website=Reuters}}</ref> Blue Origin announced a further schedule slip for the first launch of New Glenn in March 2021 when the company said New Glenn "would not launch until the fourth quarter of 2022, at the earliest".<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=March 1, 2021 |title=Blue Origin's massive New Glenn rocket is delayed for years. What went wrong? |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/so-what-really-happened-with-blue-origins-new-glenn-rocket/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210320162628/https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/03/so-what-really-happened-with-blue-origins-new-glenn-rocket/ |archive-date=March 20, 2021 |access-date=March 3, 2021 |work=Ars Technica}}</ref>

By 2021, Blue had changed the published reuse specification for New Glenn to a minimum of 25 flights,<ref name="blueGlenn20210520">{{Cite web |date=May 20, 2021 |title=New Glenn |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170912220630/https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn |archive-date=September 12, 2017 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |publisher=Blue Origin |quote=New Glenn's fully reusable first stage is designed for a minimum of 25 flights, making it competitive for a variety of launch markets.}}</ref> from the previous design intent of 2016 to support up to 100 flights.<ref name="Berger 2017" /><ref name="Foust 2017-03-07" />

In March 2022, the expected first launch of New Glenn slipped to no earlier than Q4 2023.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=March 23, 2022 |title=Vulcan Centaur on schedule for first launch in 2022 as New Glenn slips |url=https://spacenews.com/vulcan-centaur-on-schedule-for-first-launch-in-2022-as-new-glenn-slips/ |access-date=March 24, 2022 |work=SpaceNews}}</ref>

In January 2024, the first stage of New Glenn was being transported at Kennedy Space Center from the factory to the launch complex in preparation for a 2024 launch.<ref>{{Cite web |date=January 10, 2024 |title=Mammoth rocket stage for Blue Origin New Glenn goes for sideways ride on Space Coast |last=Tribout|first=Richard|website = Orlando Sentinel|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/01/10/mammoth-rocket-stage-for-blue-origin-new-glenn-goes-for-space-coast-ride/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240110190518/https://www.orlandosentinel.com/2024/01/10/mammoth-rocket-stage-for-blue-origin-new-glenn-goes-for-space-coast-ride/ |archive-date=January 10, 2024 |access-date=January 10, 2024}}</ref>

In February 2024, a boilerplate of both the first and second stages of New Glenn was erected on launch pad LC-36 for the first time. This test vehicle was not in flight-ready condition and had no functioning engines mounted.<ref name="Glenn debut">{{Cite web |date=February 21, 2024 |title=Blue Origin Debuts New Glenn on Our Launch Pad |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-origin-debuts-new-glenn-on-our-launch-pad |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240222185958/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-origin-debuts-new-glenn-on-our-launch-pad |archive-date=February 22, 2024 |access-date=April 1, 2024 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> In May 2024, New Glenn was rolled out again for additional testing prior to a planned launch later in the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Instagram |url=https://www.instagram.com/blueorigin/p/C7U9ogUvhkm/ |access-date=May 24, 2024 |website=www.instagram.com |archive-date=May 24, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240524011153/https://www.instagram.com/blueorigin/p/C7U9ogUvhkm/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== Reusable upper stage ==== [[File:Glenn62.jpg|thumb|John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth and the namesake of the New Glenn spacecraft, piloting the ''Friendship 7'' space capsule during his flight on February 20, 1962]]

Although New Glenn's original second stage was designed to be expendable, Blue Origin later studied concepts for making it reusable. In July 2021, ''Ars Technica'' reported that the company had started Project Jarvis, an effort to develop a fully reusable second stage for New Glenn.<ref name="Berger 2021-07-27"></ref> The project included work on stainless-steel propellant tanks and structures; in August 2021, a stainless-steel test tank was moved to Launch Complex 36 for planned ground pressure testing with cryogenic propellants.<ref name="Berger20210824">{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=August 24, 2021 |title=First images of Blue Origin's "Project Jarvis" test tank |work=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/first-images-of-blue-origins-project-jarvis-test-tank/ |access-date=August 20, 2025}}</ref>

In parallel, Blue Origin evaluated several possible reusable-stage architectures, including a winged stage that would reenter as a spaceplane, an aerospike engine concept in which the engine would also serve as a heat shield, and a high-drag design using flaps and a thermal protection system similar in broad concept to SpaceX Starship.<ref name="Berger20210824" /> In September 2024, Bezos said Blue Origin had a design for a reusable second stage and was developing its thermal protection system, but was still assessing whether aluminum or stainless steel should be used. He also said the company was continuing work on a cheaper expendable second stage and could abandon second-stage reuse if an expendable design proved more economical.<ref name="Kuhr20240911">{{cite news |last=Kuhr |first=Jack |date=September 11, 2024 |title=Jeff Bezos Opens Up About New Glenn, Discusses Reusability and Manufacturing |work=Payload |url=https://payloadspace.com/jeff-bezos-opens-up-about-new-glenn-discusses-reusability-and-manufacturing/ |access-date=August 20, 2025}}</ref>

After New Glenn's first flight in January 2025, ''Ars Technica'' reported that Project Jarvis had been shelved.<ref name="Berger20250127">{{cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=January 27, 2025 |title=With successful New Glenn flight, Blue Origin may finally be turning the corner |work=Ars Technica |url=https://arstechnica.com/features/2025/01/after-the-success-of-new-glenn-blue-origin-to-focus-on-launching-frequently/ |access-date=August 20, 2025}}</ref>

=== Inaugural launch === thumb|New Glenn launches from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, January 16, 2025. On June 12, 2024, Blue Origin received its communications license for the inaugural flight of New Glenn.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/FccSpace/status/1800910962486079574|title=FCC Space Licenses (@FccSpace) on X|work=X (formerly Twitter) |access-date=June 13, 2024|archive-date=June 13, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613031733/https://x.com/FccSpace/status/1800910962486079574|url-status=live}}</ref> The vehicle was selected for the U.S. NSSL program with expectation that the inaugural launch would occur no later than December 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=June 13, 2024 |title=Bezos' Blue Origin joins SpaceX, ULA in winning bids for $5.6 billion Pentagon rocket program |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/13/pentagon-picks-blue-origin-spacex-ula-in-5point6-billion-rocket-program.html |access-date=June 14, 2024 |website=CNBC |language=en |archive-date=June 13, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240613235528/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/06/13/pentagon-picks-blue-origin-spacex-ula-in-5point6-billion-rocket-program.html |url-status=live }}</ref>

Preparations began in earnest in late August for what was to be New Glenn's debut launch, carrying the ESCAPADE mission consisting of two Photon satellites destined for Mars on a VADR contract from NASA.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Wall |first=Mike |date=September 4, 2024 |title=Blue Origin droneship arrives in Florida ahead of 1st New Glenn launch (video, photos) |url=https://www.space.com/blue-origin-droneship-jacklyn-arrives-port |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240905183716/https://www.space.com/blue-origin-droneship-jacklyn-arrives-port |archive-date=September 5, 2024 |access-date=September 5, 2024 |website=Space.com |language=en}}</ref> After consultation with NASA, both parties was decided to forgo the October launch window to avoid "significant cost, schedule, and technical challenges", as well as the risks of removing fuel from the vehicle in the event of a launch delay.<ref name="ng1-nsf">{{cite web |date=September 6, 2024 |title=New Glenn Inaugural Flight |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7628 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240910145157/https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7628 |archive-date=September 10, 2024 |access-date=September 7, 2024 |work=Next Spaceflight}}</ref>

As of September 2024, the debut launch was planned to be a demonstration launch for the United States Space Force's National Security Space Launch program, carrying the Blue Ring Pathfinder.<ref name="pathfinder" /> The booster for the flight was named So You're Telling Me There's a Chance, alluding to the difficulty of landing a reusable booster on the first attempt.<ref name="limp13092024">{{Cite tweet |number=1834703746842214468|user=davill |title=We have a cool history naming key Blue hardware that dates back to New Shepard. We're calling New Glenn's first booster "So You're Telling Me There's a Chance." Why? No one has landed a reusable booster on the first try. Yet, we're going for it, and humbly submit having good confidence in landing it. But like I said a couple of weeks ago, if we don't, we'll learn and keep trying until we do.|first=Dave|last=Limp|date=September 13, 2024|access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref>

Testing continued in October 2024 with successful hot fire tests of the second stage.<ref>{{Cite web |date=September 23, 2024 |title=New Glenn Completes Second Stage Hotfire |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-completes-second-stage-hotfire |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110021235/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-completes-second-stage-hotfire |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |access-date=October 21, 2024 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> The completed first stage moved to the launchpad on October 30, 2024, ahead of the first flight.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://x.com/davill/status/1851498623949029778|title=Dave Limp (@davill) on X|work=X (formerly Twitter) |access-date=October 30, 2024|archive-date=November 7, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241107013118/https://x.com/davill/status/1851498623949029778|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=January 2025}}

The Flight 1 vehicle was moved to the launchpad on November 20, 2024, for static fire testing.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Tribou |first1=Richard |last2=Sentinel |first2=Orlando |title=Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket goes vertical on the launch pad |url=https://phys.org/news/2024-11-blue-glenn-rocket-vertical-pad.html |access-date=November 28, 2024 |website=phys.org |language=en |archive-date=November 25, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241125142303/https://phys.org/news/2024-11-blue-glenn-rocket-vertical-pad.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Full wet dress rehearsal occurred on December 19, 2024,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Brooke |date=December 19, 2024 |title=Blue Origin New Glenn launch date inches closer as rocket sees testing at Cape Canaveral |url=https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2024/12/19/spotted-blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-launch-date-testing-first-stage-fueling-wet-dress-rehearsal/77087841007/ |access-date=December 20, 2024 |website=Florida Today |archive-date=December 27, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241227113748/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2024/12/19/spotted-blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-launch-date-testing-first-stage-fueling-wet-dress-rehearsal/77087841007/ |url-status=live }}</ref> and a 24-second static fire was conducted on December 27.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Berger |first1=Eric |title=After a 24-second test of its engines, the New Glenn rocket is ready to fly |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/12/blue-origin-hot-fires-new-glenn-rocket-setting-up-a-launch-early-next-year/ |website=Ars Technica |access-date=December 27, 2024 |date=December 27, 2024 |archive-date=December 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241228022516/https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/12/blue-origin-hot-fires-new-glenn-rocket-setting-up-a-launch-early-next-year/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 13, 2025, Blue Origin conducted their first launch attempt with the vehicle. After several slips in the countdown, the attempt was scrubbed at approximately 3:05 AM EST (0805 UTC).<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YBAsi5pY2o |title=[SCRUB] Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Attempts to Launch and Land for the First Time |date=January 13, 2025 |last=NASASpaceflight |access-date=January 17, 2025 |via=YouTube |archive-date=January 17, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250117094153/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YBAsi5pY2o |url-status=live }}</ref>

On January 16, 2025, 2:03 AM EST (0703 UTC), New Glenn launched for the first time.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Blue Origin scrubs first New Glenn launch attempt due to "vehicle subsystem issue|website=Spaceflight Now|url=https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/01/13/live-coverage-blue-origin-to-launch-inaugural-new-glenn-rocket-from-cape-canaveral/|last=Robinson-Smith|first=Will|access-date=January 13, 2025|language=en-US|archive-date=January 21, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121205307/https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/01/13/live-coverage-blue-origin-to-launch-inaugural-new-glenn-rocket-from-cape-canaveral/|url-status=live}}</ref> Blue Origin reached orbit on its first attempt, injecting the GS-2 upper stage and the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload into medium earth orbit. Blue Origin stated that So You're Telling Me There's a Chance, the first stage of New Glenn, was lost on descent. Telemetry showed that the booster was traveling at an approximate speed of Mach 5.5 at an altitude of 84,226 ft (25.7 km) before it was deemed lost.<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXysNxbGdCg |title=New Glenn Mission NG-1 Webcast |date=January 13, 2025 |last=Blue Origin |access-date=January 16, 2025 |via=YouTube |archive-date=January 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250118055326/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXysNxbGdCg |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New Glenn NG-1 Mission Updates |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-ng-1-mission |website=Blue Origin |access-date=January 16, 2025 |archive-date=January 24, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250124102350/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-ng-1-mission |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Following the unsuccessful landing, a mishap investigation into the atmospheric reentry of the returning booster was led by Blue Origin, with the involvement and review by the FAA.<ref name=sn20250118>[https://spacenews.com/faa-requires-mishap-investigation-for-failed-new-glenn-landing/ FAA requires mishap investigation for failed New Glenn landing], Jeff Foust, Space News, January 18, 2025.</ref> This investigation was successfully completed by March 31, 2025.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Foust |first1=Jeff |url=https://spacenews.com/investigation-into-failed-new-glenn-landing-completed/ |title=Investigation into failed New Glenn landing completed |work=SpaceNews |date=March 31, 2025}}</ref>

=== First recovery via Landing Platform Vessel 1 === On November 13, 2025, a New Glenn first stage, ''Never Tell Me the Odds'', successfully landed on the Landing Platform Vessel Jacklyn positioned around {{Convert|375|mi|km nmi|round=10}} offshore in the Atlantic Ocean. This made Blue Origin the second company, behind SpaceX and its Falcon rockets, to successfully deploy a spacecraft in orbit while landing the vehicle's booster.<ref>{{Cite web |author1=Mike Wall |date=November 15, 2025 |title=Watch Blue Origin's huge New Glenn rocket ace its epic landing on a ship at sea (video) |url=https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/watch-blue-origins-huge-new-glenn-rocket-ace-its-epic-landing-on-a-ship-at-sea-video |access-date=November 18, 2025 |website=Space |language=en |archive-date=November 18, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251118153345/https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/watch-blue-origins-huge-new-glenn-rocket-ace-its-epic-landing-on-a-ship-at-sea-video |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-13 |title=Blue Origin nails booster landing on second New Glenn launch |url=https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/blue-origin-nails-booster-landing-on-second-new-glenn-launch/ |access-date=2026-01-19 |website=Aerospace America |language=en-US |archive-date=December 14, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20251214113702/https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/blue-origin-nails-booster-landing-on-second-new-glenn-launch/ |url-status=live }}</ref>

===Static fire test explosion=== {{Main|2026 New Glenn rocket explosion}} On May 28, 2026, a New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire test at Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. The explosion destroyed the vehicle and severely damaged the launch site, Blue Origin's only operational facility. The incident halted New Glenn operations while the cause of the explosion was investigated and the launch complex was repaired. No injuries were reported.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=2026-05-28 |title=The most spectacular rocket explosion since N1 just happened in Florida |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2026/05/blue-origins-new-glenn-rocket-just-exploded-during-a-static-fire-test/ |access-date=2026-05-28 |website=Ars Technica}} </ref>

===New Glenn 9×4=== On November 20, 2025, Blue Origin announced the development of a new super heavy-lift version of New Glenn, designated New Glenn 9×4.<ref name="NewGlennUpdatedNovember2025">{{cite news |date=November 20, 2025 |title=New Glenn Update |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-upgraded-engines-subcooled-components-drive-enhanced-performance |access-date=November 20, 2025 |work=Blue Origin }}{{Dead link|date=May 2026 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> The variant will use nine BE-4 engines on its first stage and four BE-3U engines on its second stage. According to the company, it will be capable of launching more than {{Convert|70000|kg}} to Low Earth orbit, over {{Convert|14000|kg}} on a direct insertion to geosynchronous orbit, and more than {{Convert|20000|kg}} to a trans-lunar injection trajectory. It will also feature an enlarged payload fairing measuring {{Convert|8.7|m|sp=us}} in diameter.<ref name="Berger 2025">{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Berger (journalist) |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Blue Origin revealed some massively cool plans for its New Glenn rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/11/blue-origin-says-its-just-getting-started-with-the-new-glenn-rocket/ |access-date=November 20, 2025 |website=Ars Technica |language=en}}</ref><ref name="O'Kane 2025">{{cite news |last1=O'Kane |first1=Sean |date=November 20, 2025 |title=Blue Origin reveals a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket that is taller than a Saturn V |url=https://techcrunch.com/2025/11/20/blue-origin-reveals-a-super-heavy-variant-of-its-new-glenn-rocket-that-is-taller-than-a-saturn-v/ |access-date=November 20, 2025 |work=TechCrunch}}</ref>

An image released by Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp depicted the New Glenn 9×4 as taller than the Saturn V.<ref name="Berger 2025" /><ref name="O'Kane 2025" /> While the company did not provide an official timeline, media reports indicated that the variant could enter service as early as 2027. Blue Origin stated that both the 7×2 and 9×4 versions of the rocket are intended to operate concurrently. Media reports also noted that the 9×4 configuration would offer lift capacity approaching that of NASA's Space Launch System Block 1 rocket while retaining a reusable first stage and a larger payload fairing, and could cost less than one-tenth as much per launch.<ref name="Berger 2025" />

== Description and technical specifications == [[File:Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine, sn 103, April 2018 -- LCH4 inlet side view.jpg|thumb|The first hotfire-tested Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine, serial number 103, at the 34th Space Symposium in Colorado Springs, Colorado, April 2018, showing the liquid methane inlet side of the engine]]

New Glenn is a {{cvt|7|m|adj=on}} diameter two-stage orbital launch vehicle with a reusable first stage<ref name="Burghardt 2018" /> and an expendable second stage.<ref name="Foust 2019">{{Cite tweet |number=1095436342186647554 |user=jeff_foust |title=Mowry: reusing the second stage of New Glenn is not on our roadmap right now; really hard problem technically. #CST2019 |first=Jeff |last=Foust |date=February 12, 2019 |access-date=December 11, 2019}}</ref> An optional third stage was envisaged with a single BE-3U engine, and was planned {{as of|2018|10|lc=on}}.<ref name="bluePUG" />

The first stage (GS1<ref name="Guerrieri 2022">{{Cite web |last=Giulia Guerrieri |date=September 9, 2022 |title=Vulcan Centaur and New Glenn |url=https://impulso.space/blog/posts/vulcan-centaur-and-new-glenn/ |publisher=impulso.space |access-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-date=August 16, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240816235950/https://impulso.space/blog/posts/vulcan-centaur-and-new-glenn/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Dodd 2024" />) is designed to be reusable for a minimum of 25 flights,<ref name="blueGlenn20210520" /> and lands vertically, a technology previously developed by Blue Origin and tested in 2015–2016 on its New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle. The second stage (GS2<ref name="Guerrieri 2022" /><ref name="Dodd 2024">{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsuqSn7ifpU |title=First Look Inside Blue Origin's New Glenn Factory w/ Jeff Bezos! |date=August 15, 2024 |last=Dodd |first=Tim |series=Everyday Astronaut |via=YouTube |access-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-date=May 5, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250505135850/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsuqSn7ifpU |url-status=live }}</ref>) shares the same diameter and is "roughly 88 feet (26.8 meters) tall"<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-completes-second-stage-hotfire |title=New Glenn Completes Second Stage Hotfire |publisher=Blue Origin |date=September 23, 2024 |access-date=September 24, 2024 |archive-date=November 10, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241110021235/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-completes-second-stage-hotfire |url-status=live }}</ref> and is expendable. Both stages use orthogrid aluminum tanks with welded aluminum domes and common bulkheads. Both stages also use autogenous pressurization.<ref name="bluePUG" />

The first stage is powered by seven BE-4 methane/oxygen engines—designed and manufactured by Blue Origin—producing {{cvt|17000|kN}} of liftoff thrust.<ref name="Berger 2017" /> Its liquid oxygen propellant tank has a volume of {{convert|30000|cuft|m3|abbr=on}} while the fuel tank can store almost {{convert|25000|cuft|m3|abbr=on}} of liquid methane.<ref>{{Cite web| title=While we wait for regulatory approvals for hotfire and launch, here's a photo (and a bonus video) of our "chilling" GS1... | url=https://x.com/davill/status/1865884185833148501 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208231008/https://x.com/davill/status/1865884185833148501 | archive-date=December 8, 2024}}</ref> The second stage is powered by two BE-3U vacuum optimized engines, also designed and manufactured by Blue Origin, using hydrogen/oxygen as propellants.

The company stated in 2019 that the planned full operational payload capacity of the two-stage version of New Glenn would be {{cvt|13000|kg}} to GTO and {{cvt|45000|kg}} to a 51.6° inclined LEO,<ref name="Berger 2017">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=March 7, 2017 |title=Blue Origin releases details of its monster orbital rocket |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/blue-origin-releases-details-of-its-monster-orbital-rocket |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191210214437/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/03/blue-origin-releases-details-of-its-monster-orbital-rocket/ |archive-date=December 10, 2019 |access-date=March 8, 2017 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> though the initial operating capability could be somewhat lower.<ref name="bluePUG">{{Cite web |date=October 2018 |title=New Glenn Payload User Guide |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn/new-glenn-payload-users-guide |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514171558/http://blueorigin.com/new-glenn/new-glenn-payload-users-guide |archive-date=May 14, 2019 |access-date=May 1, 2019 |publisher=Blue Origin}}</ref> {{as of|2018}}, dual-satellite launches were intended to be offered after the first five flights.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-offer-dual-launch-with-new-glenn-after-fifth-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416120933/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-offer-dual-launch-with-new-glenn-after-fifth-mission/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=July 12, 2018 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref>

Launches of New Glenn are made from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) leased to Blue Origin in 2015 in support of the New Glenn program.<ref name="Bergin 2016" /><ref name="Boyle 2016" /> On April 14, 2026, Blue Origin and the U.S. Space Force announced plans to give New Glenn polar orbit capabilities through building a West Coast launch facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, to be called Space Launch Complex 14 (SLC-14).<ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=KSBY|date=2026-04-14|title=U.S. Space Force selects Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin for Vandenberg site|url=https://www.ksby.com/lompoc-valley/u-s-space-force-selects-jeff-bezos-blue-origin-for-vandenberg-site|access-date=2026-04-14|website=KSBY News|language=en|archive-date=April 15, 2026|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415094222/https://www.ksby.com/lompoc-valley/u-s-space-force-selects-jeff-bezos-blue-origin-for-vandenberg-site|url-status=live}}</ref>

The first stage boosters of New Glenn are intended to be reusable, and were originally intended to be recovered downrange on the Atlantic Ocean via their landing platform ship ''Jacklyn'', which would have acted as a floating movable landing platform. The hydrodynamically stabilized ship would have increased the likelihood of successful recovery in rough seas.<ref name="Burghardt 2018">{{Cite news |last=Burghardt |first=Thomas |date=September 20, 2018 |title=Building on New Shepard, Blue Origin to pump a billion dollars into New Glenn readiness |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/09/new-shepard-blue-origin-billion-new-glenn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190331110939/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2018/09/new-shepard-blue-origin-billion-new-glenn/ |archive-date=March 31, 2019 |access-date=September 22, 2018 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}}</ref> That ship was scrapped, and a new landing barge named Landing Platform Vessel 1, also nicknamed Jacklyn, was commissioned and became operational in 2024.{{cn|date=January 2025}}

== Manufacturing == The main assembly of the New Glenn launch vehicle will occur in the Blue Origin rocket manufacturing facility in Florida, near Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) which the company leased from Spaceport Florida. Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) has hosted more than 100 launches, formerly launching the Atlas II and Atlas III rockets.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas II |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/rockets/228 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=nextspaceflight.com |language=en |archive-date=March 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250313185925/https://nextspaceflight.com/rockets/228 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Atlas III |url=https://nextspaceflight.com/rockets/95 |access-date=February 11, 2025 |website=nextspaceflight.com |language=en |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113194349/https://nextspaceflight.com/rockets/95 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Tooling and equipment for the factory began to be ordered and built in 2015. In July 2018, the build of the largest device, a {{cvt|16|m}} tall × {{cvt|41|m}} long × {{cvt|13|m}} wide Ingersoll "Mongoose" cryogenic-tank and fairing fabrication machine, was completed after a three-year design/build process. It was to be installed in the Florida facility in Exploration Park later in 2018.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Guerrero |first=Isaac |date=July 17, 2018 |title=Rockford-made machine to build parts for next-generation rockets |url=http://www.rrstar.com/news/20180717/rockford-made-machine-to-build-parts-for-next-generation-rockets |access-date=August 3, 2018 |publisher=Rockford Star |quote=It took three years to design and manufacture the Sasquatch-sized machine, which stands 51 feet tall, 136 feet long and 43 feet wide. The machine ... will manufacture cryogenic tanks that will be filled with liquid oxygen and hydrogen to fuel rockets. The machine also will build fairings}}</ref>{{update after|2024|10|30}} {{as of|2018|09}}, Blue Origin had invested over $1 billion in its Florida manufacturing facility and launch site, and stated it intended to spend much more going forward.<ref name="Burghardt 2018" /><ref>{{Cite web |date=March 5, 2020 |title=New Glenn First Stage Tank Production |url=https://youtube.com/avg0XZU2OBo |publisher=Blue Origin}}{{dead link|date=June 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>

== Launch services == Blue Origin planned as of 2018 to offer both single-payload dedicated flights and, after the fifth launch, dual-manifesting of large communications satellites to be transported to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO).<ref name="Henry 2018" /> All contracted launches from the start will feature a reusable first stage, so just like the practice in commercial aircraft transport, landing conditions can affect the timing and flight parameters of a launch.<ref name="Henry 2018" />

=== Launch service customers === By 2018, Blue Origin had contracts in place with four customers for New Glenn flights. Eutelsat, Thailand startup mu Space Corp and SKY Perfect JSAT have geosynchronous orbit communications satellite launches planned after 2020, while internet satellite constellation fleet operator OneWeb had an agreement by 2018 for five launches.<ref name="Foust 2017-09-26">{{Cite web |date=September 26, 2017 |title=Blue Origin signs up third customer for New Glenn |last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-signs-up-third-customer-for-new-glenn/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416121037/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-signs-up-third-customer-for-new-glenn/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=January 28, 2019 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref><ref name="Clark 2018" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=March 12, 2018 |title=Blue Origin signs Sky Perfect JSAT as fourth New Glenn launch customer |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-signs-sky-perfect-jsat-as-fourth-new-glenn-launch-customer/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416121037/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-signs-sky-perfect-jsat-as-fourth-new-glenn-launch-customer/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=June 28, 2018 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref>

In January 2019, Telesat signed a multi-launch contract "to launch satellites for its future low-Earth-orbit broadband constellation on multiple New Glenn missions" and thus is Blue Origin's fifth customer.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=January 31, 2019 |title=Telesat signs New Glenn multi-launch agreement with Blue Origin for LEO missions |url=https://spacenews.com/telesat-signs-new-glenn-multi-launch-agreement-with-blue-origin-for-leo-missions/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416120934/https://spacenews.com/telesat-signs-new-glenn-multi-launch-agreement-with-blue-origin-for-leo-missions/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=February 2, 2019 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref>

In 2022, Amazon announced that it had contracted 12 flights of New Glenn, with an option for 15 more, for deployment of the Kuiper satellite constellation.<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 5, 2022 |title=Amazon signs multibillion-dollar Project Kuiper launch contracts |last=Foust|first=Jeff|url=https://spacenews.com/amazon-signs-multibillion-dollar-project-kuiper-launch-contracts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416120934/https://spacenews.com/amazon-signs-multibillion-dollar-project-kuiper-launch-contracts/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref>

In February 2023, NASA announced that it had selected Blue Origin to launch the ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=April 25, 2024 |title=NASA planning September launch of Mars smallsat mission on first New Glenn |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-planning-september-launch-of-mars-smallsat-mission-on-first-new-glenn/ |access-date=April 26, 2024 |website=SpaceNews |archive-date=June 14, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240614021909/https://spacenews.com/nasa-planning-september-launch-of-mars-smallsat-mission-on-first-new-glenn/ |url-status=live }}</ref> In May 2024, it was announced the spacecraft had reached substantial completion in preparation for launch later in the year;<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1785781514263040002|title=Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) on X|access-date=May 2, 2024|archive-date=May 2, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240502012305/https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1785781514263040002|url-status=live}}</ref> however NASA subsequently moved the ESCAPADE payload from the first flight of New Glenn to a later flight of the rocket.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.nasa.gov/escapade/2024/09/06/nasa-stands-down-from-october-launch-for-escapade-to-mars/|title=NASA blog article|date=September 6, 2024|access-date=January 24, 2025|archive-date=January 22, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250122072339/https://blogs.nasa.gov/escapade/2024/09/06/nasa-stands-down-from-october-launch-for-escapade-to-mars/|url-status=live}}</ref>

In November 2024, AST SpaceMobile selected Blue Origin to launch some of its Block 2 satellites. This launch in April 2026 resulted in a failure of the satellite deployment due to the upper stage malfunction of the New Glenn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rainbow |first=Jason |date=November 15, 2024 |title=AST SpaceMobile leans on Blue Origin to ramp up satellite launches |url=https://spacenews.com/ast-spacemobile-leans-on-blue-origin-to-ramp-up-satellite-launches/ |access-date=January 10, 2025 |website=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=April 19, 2026 |title=Third New Glenn launch suffers upper stage malfunction |url=https://spacenews.com/third-new-glenn-launch-suffers-upper-stage-malfunction/ |access-date=April 19, 2026 |work=SpaceNews}}</ref>

In April 2025, Space Systems Command awarded a National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 2 contract to Blue Origin. As the third provider, Blue Origin is projected to be awarded 7 flights, with an anticipated value of $2.4 billion.<ref name="nssl"/>

=== Schedule-oriented launch cadence === Blue Origin intends to contract its launch services in a different structure compared to contract options that have been traditionally offered in the commercial launch market. The company has stated they will contract to aim to have a regular launch cadence of up to eight launches a year. If one of the payload providers for a multi-payload launch is not ready on time, Blue stated in 2018 that they intended to hold to the launch timeframe, and fly the remaining payloads on time at no increase in price.<ref name="Henry 2018">{{Cite news |last=Henry |first=Caleb |date=July 12, 2018 |title=Blue Origin to offer dual launch with New Glenn after fifth mission |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-offer-dual-launch-with-new-glenn-after-fifth-mission/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240416120933/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-to-offer-dual-launch-with-new-glenn-after-fifth-mission/ |archive-date=April 16, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2018 |work=SpaceNews |quote=Blue Origin's McFarland said Blue Origin won't let schedule disruptions with one payload impact the co-passenger in dual-launch missions, even if it means splitting the missions in two. "We are not going to [let this] hold back or delay a launch", he said. "We are going for a cadence of up to eight times per year where we will launch. If we don't have a second, we still go as a single. So that's the plan, [with] the same price point for the launch service for the customer".}}</ref> This is different from how dual-launch manifested contracts have been traditionally handled by Arianespace (Ariane 5 and Ariane 6) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (H-IIA and H3). SpaceX and International Launch Services can offer dual-launch contracts, but prefer dedicated missions.<ref name="Henry 2018" />

== Funding == The development and manufacture of the New Glenn is being funded by Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon,<ref name="Bergin 2016" /><ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=September 12, 2016 |title=Why Bezos' rocket is unprecedented — and worth taking seriously |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/09/did-the-fourth-richest-human-just-tease-plans-to-colonize-the-moon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307152511/https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/09/did-the-fourth-richest-human-just-tease-plans-to-colonize-the-moon/ |archive-date=March 7, 2017 |access-date=September 20, 2016 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> and the Department of the Air Force. Initially funded entirely by Bezos, after 2019 New Glenn will also receive $500 million in funding under the United States Space Force National Security Space Launch (NSSL) program.<ref>{{citation-attribution|1={{Cite web |date=October 10, 2018 |title=Air Force awards three Launch Service Agreements |work=Air Force |url=https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1658765/air-force-awards-three-launch-service-agreements/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181011000818/https://www.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/1658765/air-force-awards-three-launch-service-agreements/ |archive-date=October 11, 2018 |access-date=January 28, 2019 |publisher=U.S. Air Force}} }}</ref> By September 2017, Bezos had invested $2.5 billion into New Glenn.<ref name="Henry 2017" />

== Launch history ==

=== Statistics === {{transcluded section|List of New Glenn launches|List of New Glenn launches}} {{replace |1= {{#section-h::List of New Glenn launches|Statistics}} |2= === |3= ====}}

=== List of launches === {{transcluded section|List of New Glenn launches|List of New Glenn launches}} {{replace |1= {{#section-h::List of New Glenn launches|Past launches}} |2= === |3= ====}}

=== Planned launches === {{transcluded section|List of New Glenn launches|List of New Glenn launches}} {{replace |1= {{#section-h::List of New Glenn launches|Future launches}} |2= === |3= ====}}

== See also == * List of New Glenn launches * List of New Glenn boosters  * Space launch market competition * Falcon Heavy (SpaceX) * Ariane 6 (Arianespace) * Vulcan Centaur (United Launch Alliance) * SpaceX Starship * Space Launch System (NASA/Boeing), not intended for commercial satellite launch * Saturn C-3 (1962 NASA Saturn design for Apollo EOR), same lift capacity * Comparison of orbital launch systems * Comparison of orbital launcher families * Blue Origin recovery vessel

==Notes== {{notelist}}

== References == {{Reflist|refs=

<ref name="Berger 2016">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=March 9, 2016 |title=Behind the curtain: Ars goes inside Blue Origin's secretive rocket factory |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/behind-the-curtain-ars-goes-inside-blue-origins-secretive-rocket-factory |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170730014307/https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/behind-the-curtain-ars-goes-inside-blue-origins-secretive-rocket-factory/ |archive-date=July 30, 2017 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref>

<ref name="blueorigin-about20130405">{{Cite web |title=About Blue |url=http://www.blueorigin.com/about/about.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130325181227/http://www.blueorigin.com/about/about.html |archive-date=March 25, 2013 |access-date=April 5, 2013 |publisher=Blue Origin}}</ref>

<ref name="Harwood 2015">{{Cite news |last=Harwood |first=William |date=September 15, 2015 |title=Jeff Bezos plans to boost humans into space from Cape Canaveral |url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bezos-announces-new-booster-florida-rocket-plant |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822010457/http://www.cbsnews.com/news/bezos-announces-new-booster-florida-rocket-plant/ |archive-date=August 22, 2016 |access-date=September 17, 2015 |publisher=CBS News |quote=Bezos: "''You cannot afford to be a space-fairing civilization if you throw the rocket away every time you use it. ... We have to be focused on reusability, we have to be focused on lowering the cost of space.''"}}</ref>

<ref name="Boyle 2016">{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=March 5, 2016 |title=Jeff Bezos lifts curtain on Blue Origin rocket factory, lays out grand plan for space travel that spans hundreds of years |url=http://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-lifts-curtain-blue-origin-rocket-factory-vision-space |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160310101109/http://www.geekwire.com/2016/jeff-bezos-lifts-curtain-blue-origin-rocket-factory-vision-space/ |archive-date=March 10, 2016 |access-date=March 9, 2016 |publisher=GeekWire}}</ref>

<ref name="Boyle 2018">{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=October 10, 2018 |title=Blue Origin resets schedule: First crew to space in 2019, first orbital launch in 2021 |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2018/blue-origin-resets-schedule-first-crew-space-2019-first-orbital-launch-2021/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181022035100/https://www.geekwire.com/2018/blue-origin-resets-schedule-first-crew-space-2019-first-orbital-launch-2021/ |archive-date=October 22, 2018 |access-date=January 28, 2019 |publisher=GeekWire}}</ref>

<ref name="Bergin 2016">{{Cite news |last=Bergin |first=Chris |date=September 12, 2016 |title=Blue Origin introduce the New Glenn orbital LV |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/blue-origin-new-glenn-orbital-lv |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181027230717/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/blue-origin-new-glenn-orbital-lv/ |archive-date=October 27, 2018 |access-date=September 13, 2016 |publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com}}</ref>

<ref name="nsw20121016">{{Cite news |date=October 16, 2012 |title=Blue Origin tests 100k lb LOX/LH2 engine in commercial crew program |url=http://newspacewatch.com/articles/blue-origin-tests-100k-lb-loxlh2-engine-in-commercial-crew-program.html |url-access=subscription |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200804131254/http://newspacewatch.com/articles/blue-origin-tests-100k-lb-loxlh2-engine-in-commercial-crew-program.html |archive-date=August 4, 2020 |access-date=October 17, 2012 |work=NewSpace Watch}}</ref>

<ref name="Howell 2016">{{Cite news |last=Howell |first=Elizabeth |date=February 29, 2016 |title=Blue Origin: Quiet Plans for Spaceships |url=http://www.space.com/19584-blue-origin-quiet-plans-for-spaceships.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304013513/http://www.space.com/19584-blue-origin-quiet-plans-for-spaceships.html |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |access-date=March 5, 2016 |publisher=SPACE.com |quote=''[Blue Origin is] already more than three years into development of our first orbital vehicle ... Though it will be the small vehicle in our orbital family, it's still many times larger than New Shepard. [We] hope to share details about this first orbital vehicle this year''}}</ref>

<ref name="Clark 2014">{{Cite news |last=Clark |first=Stephen |date=September 17, 2014 |title=ULA taps Blue Origin for powerful new rocket engine |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1409/17ulablueorigin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160830071555/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1409/17ulablueorigin/ |archive-date=August 30, 2016 |access-date=April 8, 2015 |publisher=Spaceflight Now}}</ref>

<ref name="Foust 2015">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=September 15, 2015 |title=Bezos Not Concerned About Competition, Possible ULA Sale |url=http://spacenews.com/bezos-not-concerned-about-competition-possible-ula-sale |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161218180647/http://spacenews.com/bezos-not-concerned-about-competition-possible-ula-sale/ |archive-date=December 18, 2016 |access-date=September 16, 2015 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> }}

== External links == {{Commons category|New Glenn}} * {{Official website|https://www.blueorigin.com/new-glenn/}} * [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSftIaLhQzE New Glenn: The Road to Space] on YouTube by Blue Origin * {{Cite AV media |title=First Look Inside Blue Origin's New Glenn Factory w/ Jeff Bezos! |date=August 15, 2024 |series=Everyday Astronaut |id={{YouTube|rsuqSn7ifpU|rsuqSn7ifpU}} |host=Tim Dodd}} * [https://space-offshore.com/blue-origin/landing-platform-vessel-1/ Space Offshore – New Glenn recovery vessel updates] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240803204406/https://space-offshore.com/blue-origin/landing-platform-vessel-1 |date=August 3, 2024 }}

Category:Blue Origin launch vehicles Category:Space tourism Category:VTVL rockets Category:Reusable launch systems Category:John Glenn Category:New Glenn Category:Two-stage-to-orbit