Replace Dec. 27, 9:20 p.m. EST (0220 UTC): A 24-second static fireplace of the New Glenn first stage befell at 7:47 p.m. EST (0047 UTC).

Replace Dec. 27, 4:09 p.m. EST (2109 UTC): Including some extra element from the launch license.

Blue Origin is getting ready to placed on a show of fireplace and fury out at Launch Advanced 36. The corporate is gearing up for an important sizzling fireplace take a look at of its New Glenn rocket, which is without doubt one of the large, ultimate steps wanted earlier than it will possibly launch. It comes because the Federal Aviation Administration granted a Half 450 business launch license for the rocket, clearing means for it to function for 5 years.

“The FAA is dedicated to enabling the success of the U.S. business house transportation trade with out compromising public security,” stated the Affiliate Administrator for Industrial Area Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman, in an announcement. “By working intently with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license nicely upfront of the statutory deadline for the historic maiden flight of New Glenn.”

“A giant because of the FAA for the partnership, particularly over the vacations,” stated Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp in a social media put up following the announcement by the FAA. “Right here’s to NG-1 — we’re actually shut, of us.”



The launch firm, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, spent a lot of 2024 getting the ultimate items of New Glenn in place in order that it will possibly lastly shift into launch operations.

On Monday Dec. 16, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp stated that groups got the “all clear” to proceed to a fueling demonstration referred to as a moist gown rehearsal previous to the new fireplace take a look at. Also called a static fireplace as a result of the rocket won’t deliberately go away the pad, the second would be the first time that each one seven BE-4 engines roar to life collectively as a part of a completely built-in New Glenn rocket stack.

The corporate didn’t promote when the new fireplace take a look at will happen, but it surely was anticipated to happen no sooner than Thursday, Dec. 19. Blue Origin appeared to have performed some tanking on its rocket, however didn’t state if it was in a position to full a moist gown rehearsal.

Late Saturday morning, potential indicators of fueling preparations had been evident on the pad as venting might be seen alongside the strongback, which helps the rocket. Nevertheless, the day got here and went with out a static fireplace take a look at, which brings the corporate to Friday, Dec. 27, when it’s as soon as once more performing one other tanking take a look at, doubtlessly with a static fireplace take a look at on the finish.

Whereas the primary stage booster is meant to land on a barge after which reflown, much like SpaceX and its Falcon rockets, Blue Origin received’t give you the chance to take action instantly.

In accordance with the launch license, the Flight Security System (FSS) is “restricted to a single-flight use” for now.

“Previous to implementing FSS part reuse, Blue Origin shall submit an up to date Technique of Compliance to 450.145 addressing FSS part reuse,” the FAA wrote within the license.

Meet New Glenn

Blue Origin’s first orbital class rocket, New Glenn, is the second launch automobile developed by the corporate, following New Shepard, its suborbital rocket used for brief tourism flights and analysis alternatives.

New Glenn stands 98 m (~321 ft) tall with about 57.5 m (189 ft) of that coming from the primary stage of the two-stage automobile.

The booster, which is designed to land propusively, like a SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, is powered by seven of Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines. These are manufactured in Kent, Washington, and Huntsville, Alabama.

The BE-4 engines are fueled by liquified pure fuel (LNG) and liquid oxygen and are every able to producing 550,000 lbf (2,450 kN) of thrust at sea stage, in accordance with Blue Origin. Two of those engines energy the primary stage of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket.

One other good morning on the Cape. GS2 tanking take a look at is completed and nominal throughout the board. pic.twitter.com/g72FWUBvYx

— Dave Limp (@davill) December 10, 2024

On Dec. 12, through the ultimate day of the Area Power Affiliation (SFA) Spacepower Convention, Lars Hoffman, Blue Origin’s Vice President of Authorities Gross sales, talked about the good thing about sharing its engines with Vulcan.

“The identical BE-4s which can be going to energy New Glenn have been powering Vulcan for its first two launches efficiently,” Hoffman stated through the panel dialogue. “So, we’ve got some flight expertise already with our engines, along with all of the take a look at expertise.”

When pressed by the moderator for a selected launch date, he stated {that a} launch “this 12 months is about all I can say at this level.”

“So, that sort of narrows it down a bit of bit doesn’t it,” Hoffman stated. “Possibly for Christmas. I don’t know.”

Throughout a roundtable dialogue with reporters the identical day, ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno remarked that whereas each rockets use the identical primary engine, the important thing distinction is in how they ignite.

“The essential engine is identical. It’s that many extra flight knowledge factors, so we’ll be learning that fastidiously for its efficiency and any margins which can be demonstrated and so forth,” Bruno stated. “We additionally wish to maintain observe of all the launch suppliers and the place we every match and the place we’re differentiated.

“New Glenn is one other [low Earth orbit] operations-optimized rocket, like Falcon, and it’s a fairly large rocket with theoretically some fairly good mass to LEO functionality. So, we’ll be desirous about that.”

The higher stage of New Glenn is powered by a pair of BE-3U engines, which draw from the heritage of New Shepard’s BE-3PM engine. The model flying on New Glenn is “optimized to function within the vacuum of house,” in accordance with the corporate.

So nice to see! One other photograph right here of #NewGlenn’s two BE-3U engines proper earlier than integration. Within the vacuum of house, the BE-3U’s nozzles launch hydrogen-rich steam at speeds of roughly 10,000 mph. These vacuum nozzles are a giant, 114.5 inches lengthy. pic.twitter.com/yPWhTsudsk

— Dave Limp (@davill) November 12, 2024

NG-1

The primary launch of New Glenn won’t function a buyer payload, however as an alternative will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder into orbit. Blue Origin stated this may also mark the primary certification flight to develop into approved to fly Nationwide Safety Area Launch (NSSL) Part 3 contract missions, if chosen.

Blue Ring options “a communications array, energy methods, and a flight pc affixed to a secondary payload adapter ring” and is designed to validate each space-to-ground communications in addition to “ground-based radiometric monitoring that might be used on the longer term Blue Ring manufacturing house automobile.”

“We’re excited to display Blue Ring’s superior in-space operations on New Glenn’s inaugural mission,” stated Paul Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Area Programs, in an announcement. “Blue Ring performs a important function in constructing a highway to house, and this mission is a vital first step for Blue Ring and enabling dynamic and responsive operations that may vastly profit our nation.”

Blue Origin was initially going to hold the EscaPADE spacecraft from NASA as its payload for the inaugural launch, however as a result of the rocket wasn’t going to be prepared for launch in time for the October launch window, NASA determined to shift these plans.