Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is stepping up its game. Jeff Bezos’ space company recently revealed upgrades to the rocket after a successful mission. Just last week, New Glenn took NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars probes on their journey and landed its first stage back at sea.
The improvements cover various aspects like propulsion and reusability. According to Blue Origin, these upgrades will be rolled out in upcoming missions, starting with NG-3, which is set for early next year.
New Glenn’s first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines while its second stage has two BE-3U engines. The recent updates will enhance the first stage’s thrust from 3.9 million to 4.5 million pounds. The upper stage will see an increase from 320,000 to 400,000 pounds. These enhancements aim to improve performance and boost the rocket’s capabilities.
Blue Origin also announced plans for a “super-heavy” version, dubbed New Glenn 9×4. This new rocket will feature nine BE-4 engines and four BE-3Us. It can lift 77 tons to low Earth orbit, a significant increase from the original’s 50 tons. The payload fairing will also be larger, measuring 28.5 feet wide, which is more than SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy, which has a fairing of 17 feet.
Even though a timeline for the New Glenn 9×4 wasn’t shared, Blue Origin emphasized that both versions will operate together, offering more options for various missions, including those for megaconstellations and national security.
As space exploration grows, New Glenn’s enhancements reflect a larger trend. Reports suggest the global space market is expected to reach $1 trillion by 2040, driven by increased satellite launches and space tourism. Companies like Blue Origin, along with SpaceX, are leading this charge.
The excitement around these developments can be seen on social media platforms, where space enthusiasts celebrate every mission and upgrade, showing a growing public interest in space travel.
For detailed information from Blue Origin, check their official announcement here.
