New Glenn is Blue Origin's two-stage heavy-lift rocket, named after astronaut John Glenn. Its first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines burning methane and is designed to land on a seagoing platform and fly again, while a wide 7-meter fairing gives it room for large satellites.
The rocket reached orbit for the first time in January 2025. Blue Origin plans to use it for its own Project Kuiper internet satellites, national security launches, and commercial customers, positioning New Glenn as a heavy-lift competitor to established rockets.
New Glenn gives the market a second reusable heavy-lift rocket, widening access to orbit for big payloads and adding competition at the high end of the launch business. Its oversized fairing can carry spacecraft that don't fit on many existing rockets.
Key Facts
- Operator
- Blue Origin
- First flight
- January 16, 2025
- Engines
- Seven BE-4, methane-fueled
- Reusability
- First stage designed to land at sea and refly
- Payload to LEO
- About 45 t
Timeline
2015
Blue Origin announces the New Glenn program
January 2025
New Glenn reaches orbit on its first flight
Next up
Kuiper, national security, and commercial launches
Latest New Glenn News
The government’s options to address strained spaceports
The May 28 explosion of a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36 did more than destroy a rocket and severely damage a launch pad. The […] The post The government’s options to address strained
New Glenn
Blue Origin continues work on lunar landers during recovery from New Glenn explosion
Blue Origin is continuing to develop its Blue Moon lunar landers, with seven vehicles in production, while recovering from the New Glenn pad explosion more than a month ago. The post Blue Origin continues work on lunar l
New Glenn
Facts last reviewed 2026-07-12. Official mission page: blueorigin.com