Blue Origin Successfully Launches New Glenn Rocket On Maiden Flight; New Glenn’s second stage And Payload Are Now in Orbit, Elon Musk Reacts
Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos initially planned the maiden launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket on 13th January but the launch was postponed due to a vehicle subsystem issue that took the company beyond its 3-hour launch window. Then a new launch window was set for 14th January but again the launch was postponed further to 16th January due to subsequent assessments.
This New Glenn rocket was finally successfully launched from Launch Complex 36 in Florida on January 16, 2025, at 1:35 AM EST after overcoming initial weather concerns and a brief old for engine chilling. The primary objective was to achieve orbit (placing Blue Ring Pathfinder test satellite), with an additional ambitious goal to land the first stage (rocket booster) on a bare in the Atlantic. NASA’s WB-57 aircraft was deployed to capture infrared footage of the first-stage landing attempt.
Second stage engine cutoff confirmed. New Glenn’s second stage and payload are now in orbit. Another burn coming up…
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) January 16, 2025
As per the recent update shared by the company, the second engine cutoff is confirmed while New Glenn’s second stage and payload are now in orbit. It is said that Blue Origin envisions 6-8 New Glenn flights this year, with the next mission slated for spring. The New Glenn rocket is designed to support a range of missions, from deploying satellites to carrying astronauts to orbit and the moon.
Currently, SpaceX is dominating the commercial space industry and it is said the New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin will be directly competing with SpaceX. Ahead of this said competition, Elon Musk has reacted to New Glenn’s second stage and payload reaching orbit.
Congratulations on reaching orbit on the first attempt! @JeffBezos https://t.co/EJl6L8aevV
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 16, 2025
Musk congratulated Jeff Bezos, as the rocket reached orbit in the first attempt. The company has further updated that GS2 and Blue Ring Pathfinder achieved their final target orbit following two successful burns of BE-3U engines. The Blue Ring Pathfinder is receiving data and performing well.
New Glenn safely reached its intended orbit during today's NG-1 mission, accomplishing our primary objective. The second stage is in its final orbit following two successful burns of the BE-3U engines. The Blue Ring Pathfinder is receiving data and performing well.
We lost the… pic.twitter.com/MmDlCb6AVj
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) January 16, 2025
The company lost the booster during descent which led to the failure of achieving first stage landing.
