Overview

• Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is targeting its inaugural launch, NG-1, before the year's end, though no specific date has been announced.
• The rocket's final 'hot fire' engine test is pending regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration, delaying further preparations.
• The NG-1 mission will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload, designed to test in-space operations for orbital transfer and satellite deployment systems.
• The launch will also serve as the first of two certification flights required for Blue Origin to qualify for U.S. national security space missions.
• Originally slated to carry NASA's ESCAPADE Mars mission, the payload was rescheduled to 2025 due to concerns over New Glenn's readiness.