Blue Origin Prepares New Glenn for Highly Anticipated First Launch
Blue Origin is set to embark on a significant milestone with the maiden flight of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket. After years of development, the launch is scheduled for January 13 at 1:00 AM EST (06:00 UTC) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the debut of the company’s semi-reusable orbital-class launch vehicle. This mission will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload to test the capabilities of Blue Origin’s upcoming Blue Ring multi-mission space mobility platform.

Blue Origin is set to embark on a significant milestone with the maiden flight of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket. After years of development, the launch is scheduled for January 13 at 1:00 AM EST (06:00 UTC) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking the debut of the company’s semi-reusable orbital-class launch vehicle. This mission will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload to test the capabilities of Blue Origin’s upcoming Blue Ring multi-mission space mobility platform.
Originally slated for January 10, the launch was postponed due to rough sea conditions that would have hindered booster recovery operations. The vehicle has undergone an extensive testing process, including a hotfire of its seven BE-4 engines and integration checks, ensuring its readiness for the critical first flight.
The Evolution of New Glenn’s Design and Infrastructure
Named after astronaut John Glenn, New Glenn’s development dates back to 2012 with the inception of Blue Origin’s BE-4 rocket engine. Initially envisioned with two-stage and three-stage variants, the rocket’s design underwent significant changes by 2018. These included replacing the upper stage’s single BE-4U engine with two BE-3U engines, increasing the size of the payload fairing, and incorporating fixed strakes for improved lift during descent. The three-stage variant was discontinued in 2019.
To support New Glenn’s development and launches, Blue Origin invested heavily in infrastructure. The company constructed a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Space Florida’s Exploration Park, near NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Simultaneously, Launch Complex 36 underwent major upgrades, including the addition of two 175-meter towers, a 107-meter water tower, and a 13,000-square-meter integration facility.
By 2021, Blue Origin began testing with a first-stage simulator that allowed teams to practice transporting and handling the massive vehicle. This was followed by further advancements, including cryogenic testing and full-scale tanking trials, leading up to the creation of a complete New Glenn booster by late 2023.
Testing Milestones and Launch Preparations
In September 2024, the rocket’s second stage successfully completed a hotfire test of its two BE-3U engines at the launch pad. This marked a critical step in validating engine performance and the stage’s pressurization systems. December saw the successful 24-second hotfire of the first stage’s seven BE-4 engines, during which the engines operated at full power for 13 seconds. This achievement coincided with the receipt of a Part 450 commercial space launch license from the FAA, granting Blue Origin permission to conduct orbital launches with New Glenn.
In the final phase of preparations, the rocket was fitted with its flight-ready Blue Ring Pathfinder payload and moved to vertical position at the pad on January 9. The mission will aim to deliver the payload into a geostationary transfer orbit, reaching approximately 2,400 km by 19,300 km with a 30-degree inclination.
The Blue Ring Pathfinder is designed to demonstrate advanced avionics and data-processing capabilities. According to Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, the system includes "high-performance, radiation-tolerant compute and storage akin to today’s cloud-based offerings" and will communicate with ground stations in Australia, Hawaii, and Georgia.
Booster Recovery and Future Missions
After separation, the first stage of New Glenn will attempt a landing on the recovery vessel Jacklyn, positioned 620 kilometers downrange. To facilitate a safe descent, the booster will use three of its BE-4 engines for a deceleration burn, followed by controlled aerodynamic gliding supported by large strakes and actuating fins. A single engine will ignite for the final landing maneuver, deploying six landing legs for a soft touchdown.
If successful, this landing will make Blue Origin the second company, after SpaceX, to recover and reuse an orbital-class rocket booster. Future missions for New Glenn include supporting NASA’s ESCAPADE mission, deploying Amazon’s Kuiper satellite constellation, and contributing to the Blue Moon lunar lander program. With multiple boosters and stages already in production, Blue Origin is poised to expand its role in the space launch market.