Blue Origin inched closer to another major milestone in its heavy-lift ambitions Thursday morning as its powerful New Glenn rocket completed a crucial engine test at its Florida launch site. Just after sunrise, at 7:45 a.m. EDT (1145 UTC), all seven BE-4 engines on the rocket’s first stage ignited in a coordinated static fire that lasted roughly 20 seconds. The dramatic test marked a key pre-launch demonstration, with engineers now set to analyze performance data before clearing the vehicle for flight. If all systems check out, the rocket could lift off as early as Sunday, April 19, carrying AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird-7 satellite.
Credit: Blue Origin
Moments before ignition, the launch pad’s water deluge system activated, flooding the area with thousands of gallons of water to suppress acoustic shock and protect the rocket. Each BE-4 engine generates approximately 640,000 pounds of thrust at sea level, combining to produce immense power during liftoff.
The upcoming mission, designated NG-3, represents a significant step forward for Blue Origin’s reusable rocket program. The booster assigned to this flight—aptly named “Never Tell Me the Odds”—previously flew during the NG-2 mission in late 2025, where it successfully landed after launch. This marks one of the company’s first attempts to reuse a flown booster in an operational mission.
However, the booster has undergone substantial refurbishment. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp revealed that all seven engines were replaced following the previous flight. The company also used this opportunity to test upgrades, including an enhanced thermal protection system on one engine nozzle. Limp noted that the engines used during NG-2 are expected to be reused on future missions.
Blue Origin remains only the second company in the world to achieve a vertical landing of an orbital-class rocket booster, following SpaceX, which has now reflown boosters more than 550 times. Like its rival, Blue Origin relies on autonomous drone ships stationed at sea to recover its boosters, though it has yet to announce plans for land-based landing pads.
The company has stated that its New Glenn boosters are being designed for up to 25 flights each, though it remains unclear whether that lifespan applies to the engines as well as the booster structure.
Looking ahead, Blue Origin is already developing its next-generation booster, dubbed “No, It’s Necessary.” While the company has not officially confirmed its role, the vehicle is widely expected to support future lunar missions, potentially launching the Blue Moon Mk. 1 lander.
That lunar lander has recently completed rigorous thermal vacuum testing at Johnson Space Center in Texas and is now en route back to Florida for final preparations. The cargo lander is a precursor to the more advanced Blue Moon Mk. 2, which is designed to transport astronauts to the lunar surface.
NASA is closely monitoring progress on the Blue Moon program, as it will play a central role in upcoming Artemis missions. Both Blue Origin’s lander and SpaceX’s Starship are expected to dock with NASA’s Orion spacecraft in lunar orbit during Artemis 3, currently targeted for around mid-2027.
Add comment
Comments