Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Set for First Orbital Launch

Jeff Bezos's space company aims to challenge SpaceX with its powerful heavy-lift rocket, scheduled to debut this week from Cape Canaveral.

The New Glenn rocket, standing 320 feet tall, is designed to carry payloads up to 45 metric tons, doubling the capacity of SpaceX's Falcon 9.
The inaugural flight, planned for no earlier than January 8, will test the rocket's performance and reusability with a six-hour mission carrying a prototype payload.
Blue Origin aims to recover the first-stage booster by landing it on a sea-based platform, a key step toward reducing launch costs through reusability.
The launch marks Blue Origin's entry into the competitive orbital market, with potential applications for Amazon's Kuiper satellites, national security missions, and space exploration projects.
While the New Glenn rocket has faced significant delays since its 2016 announcement, its success could intensify competition with SpaceX and drive innovation in reusable rocket technology.