Blue Origin, the space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has announced that its massive New Glenn rocket is scheduled for its first launch on January 10, 2025. The launch will take place at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The mission, called NG-1, marks an important milestone as it serves as the company’s first flight to secure National Security Space Launch certification. The rocket will carry a payload named the Blue Ring Pathfinder, which is designed to test key systems for the Defense Innovation Unit’s Orbital Logistics program.
Blue Origin emphasized that the primary goal of this mission is to achieve a safe orbital launch. Additionally, the company plans to attempt its first offshore booster landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
“This is our first flight, and we’ve prepared thoroughly,” said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President for New Glenn. “No matter how much ground testing we do, there’s no substitute for an actual launch. It’s time to fly. Whatever the outcome, we’ll learn, improve, and apply that knowledge to future missions.”
The New Glenn rocket underwent a critical hot-fire test in December, where the vehicle remained secured on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Following the successful test, the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload was integrated into the rocket, and Blue Origin received a commercial space launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Blue Ring Pathfinder integrated. Launch license received. Here we go!” wrote Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp on social media platform X.
Blue Ring Pathfinder integrated. Jacklyn well underway. Launch license received. Here we go! https://t.co/CCOY8GEks8 pic.twitter.com/hjAL8Dmu3q
— Dave Limp (@davill) January 7, 2025
Standing at 98 meters tall, New Glenn is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built by Blue Origin. It is named after John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit Earth in 1962.
Originally planned for launch in 2020, the project faced delays due to development challenges with the BE-4 engine. However, with rigorous preparations completed, Blue Origin is now ready to make history with its ambitious debut flight.
Blue Origin, the space company owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has announced that its massive New Glenn rocket is scheduled for its first launch on January 10, 2025. The launch will take place at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
The mission, called NG-1, marks an important milestone as it serves as the company’s first flight to secure National Security Space Launch certification. The rocket will carry a payload named the Blue Ring Pathfinder, which is designed to test key systems for the Defense Innovation Unit’s Orbital Logistics program.
Blue Origin emphasized that the primary goal of this mission is to achieve a safe orbital launch. Additionally, the company plans to attempt its first offshore booster landing in the Atlantic Ocean.
“This is our first flight, and we’ve prepared thoroughly,” said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President for New Glenn. “No matter how much ground testing we do, there’s no substitute for an actual launch. It’s time to fly. Whatever the outcome, we’ll learn, improve, and apply that knowledge to future missions.”
The New Glenn rocket underwent a critical hot-fire test in December, where the vehicle remained secured on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral. Following the successful test, the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload was integrated into the rocket, and Blue Origin received a commercial space launch license from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
“Blue Ring Pathfinder integrated. Launch license received. Here we go!” wrote Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp on social media platform X.
Standing at 98 meters tall, New Glenn is the largest and most powerful rocket ever built by Blue Origin. It is named after John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit Earth in 1962.
Originally planned for launch in 2020, the project faced delays due to development challenges with the BE-4 engine. However, with rigorous preparations completed, Blue Origin is now ready to make history with its ambitious debut flight.
