On November 13, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket had an exciting day, launching NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars probes successfully and marking its second flight. The rocket’s first stage made a remarkable return, landing on the drone ship “Jacklyn,” located about 375 miles off the Florida coast.
This landing was a big deal. Historically, only SpaceX had achieved such a feat. Blue Origin is now stepping up to the challenge, demonstrating that reusable rockets are becoming a standard in space travel.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin, shared videos of the landing on social media. He explained that the rocket targeted a spot a few hundred feet away from the ship to avoid any mishaps during landing. Blue Origin’s motto, Gradatim Ferociter, meaning “Step by Step, Ferociously,” reflects their cautious yet ambitious approach.
This first stage, named “Never Tell Me the Odds,” had its second successful landing, a significant milestone. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp noted that no other rocket of its size has ever accomplished this on just the second try. Each New Glenn first stage is intended to fly 25 times, and so far, the booster looks in excellent condition for future missions.
A recent study by the Space Policy Institute found that reusability could cut launch costs by nearly 30%. This is important as the space industry grows, showing that companies like Blue Origin are leading the charge in making space more accessible. As more rockets return safely, the dream of a thriving space economy edges closer to reality.
The excitement around this launch is palpable on social media, with users celebrating the achievement and discussing the potential for future explorations. As we witness these advances in space technology, it’s clear that both Blue Origin and SpaceX are shaping the future of space travel.
