Blue Origin's First New Glenn Rocket Launch Set for Jan. 10

By COT - Thursday, January 9, 2025 - No Comments

An artist’s conception shows the New Glenn rocket on its launch pad

Blue Origin is preparing to launch its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket on Friday, Jan. 10, at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT) from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. This inaugural flight represents a significant milestone for the company, founded by Jeff Bezos, as it tests the rocket's capabilities for future missions.

Key Details:

Launch Window: The three-hour window runs from 1 a.m. to 4 a.m. EST on Jan. 10.
Livestream Start Time: Coverage begins at 12 a.m. EST on Blue Origin's website, YouTube channel, and other platforms.

Payload:

The launch will carry the "Blue Ring Pathfinder," a payload mass simulator weighing 45,000 pounds. This test aims to evaluate New Glenn's performance without risking valuable satellites. The Blue Ring spacecraft is designed to host payloads for missions to geostationary orbit, cislunar space, and beyond.

Rocket Features:

Height: Over 320 feet (98 meters)
Payload Capacity: Up to 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit; 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit
Reusability: The first stage is designed for up to 25 flights
Engines: Seven BE-4 engines (first stage); two BE-3U engines (upper stage)

Mission Duration:

The NG-1 mission is expected to last approximately six hours, including orbital insertion and an ambitious first-stage landing attempt on a barge named "Jacklyn."

Backup Options:

If the rocket cannot launch on Jan. 10, Blue Origin has until Jan. 12 to try again, as permitted by its FAA launch license.

This test flight is critical for Blue Origin's plans to provide reliable and reusable heavy-lift services for commercial, government, and national security customers.

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