Watch Blue Origin’s New Glenn recap, with close-ups of the rocket launch
Blue Origin just released a video summary (above) of last week. successful inaugural launch of its heavy-lift rocket, the New Glenn.
The images show some dramatic close-ups of the 98-meter-tall rocket leaving the launch pad, with its seven BE-4 engines creating nearly 4 million pounds of thrust as it headed toward orbit from the Space Force Station. Cape Canaveral in Florida last Thursday.
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The New Glenn upper stage successfully completed two burns of its BE-3U engines to deliver the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload to orbit while remaining attached to the upper stage. The Blue Ring Pathfinder tested key technologies for the upcoming Blue Ring spacecraft and included a communications suite, a power system, and a flight computer.
While the primary goal of reaching orbit was achieved, an attempt to land the reusable first stage on a floating platform parked off the coast of Florida proved unsuccessful. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is designed to be partially reusable, and the Jeff Bezos-led company aims to launch, land and reuse each booster up to 25 times.
Blue Origin’s mission was important as it marked its entry into the orbital launch market, positioning it to compete with established players such as Elon Musk’s spaceflight company SpaceX.
Following the release of New Glenn, Bezos posted a message on X that read: “So much heart, sweat and perseverance. Many congratulations and congratulations to the Blue team!
J is now focused on increasing its launch cadence and build pace. of rockets.
The next flight of New Glenn is scheduled for the spring and will build on lessons learned from the first mission. A key objective for the next mission will be to successfully land the returning first stage booster, allowing it to be used on multiple flights.