Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket’s Seven Main Engines in Major Test; Orbital Flight Targeted for 2025
In a significant milestone, Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully tested its New Glenn rocket’s seven main engines in Florida. This culminating test, reported by Ars Technica, is the final major step before the heavy-lift rocket’s inaugural orbital flight.
Blue Origin fired the BE-4 engines on their newest teststand, located at the company’s Development and Test site in the Florida panhandle. The engines roared to life for a total of 24 seconds, reaching full throttle for 13 seconds. This hotfire demonstration is a critical step in ensuring the reliability and performance of New Glenn’s powerful engine cluster.
"This was a monumental moment and a glimpse of what just happened for the first launch of New Glenn," said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President of Programs for New Glenn, in a statement. "Today’s success is proof that our rigorous testing approach – combined with our exceptional tools and design techniques – works as intended."
Blue Origin’s successful dynamic, full-duration hotfire marks a historic milestone for the company, established almost a quarter-century ago. The first orbital launch attempt for New Glenn is expected from Site-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
While Blue Origin hasn’t confirmed an official launch date, they have secured a launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The first orbital attempt is tentatively targeted for no later than January 6, 2025.
Jeff Bezos acknowledged that Blue Origin’s progress has been slower than anticipated. "Blue Origin should have been much faster, and that’s one of the reasons I stepped away from my role as Amazon CEO a few years ago," Bezos said. "I want to be in, and Blue Origin needs me now. Adding some energy, some sense of urgency. We need to move faster. And we will."
