Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Awaits Final Approval for First Launch

The company aims to launch its maiden orbital rocket mission before the end of 2024 but faces regulatory and testing hurdles.

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.