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
Blue Origin outlines plans for second Cape Canaveral launch pad
Blue Origin disclosed new details about its plans to not only rebuild but also expand its Florida launch site, adding a second pad for a larger version of New Glenn. The post Blue Origin outlines plans for second Cape Ca
New Glenn
Blue Origin identifies engine issue behind New Glenn explosion
The Aug. 5 update from Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp offered the first explanation for what caused the company’s 98-meter-tall (320 ft.) to explode at the pad on May 28.
International Space Station
New Glenn
Blue Origin narrowing in on root cause of catastrophic rocket accident
"The anomaly originated at the main oxygen valve on one of the BE-4 engines."
New Glenn
New Glenn explosion linked to rocket engine valve
Blue Origin has traced the explosion of its New Glenn rocket during a static-fire test in May to a valve in the rocket’s BE-4 engine. The post New Glenn explosion linked to rocket engine valve appeared first on SpaceNews
New Glenn
Blue Origin continues rebuilding LC-36, prepares testing alternatives for New Glenn second stage
Two months after losing a New Glenn rocket to a pad explosion during a static… The post Blue Origin continues rebuilding LC-36, prepares testing alternatives for New Glenn second stage appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.c
New Glenn
Blue Origin to test New Glenn upper stages at Stennis
Blue Origin will use NASA’s Stennis Space Center to test New Glenn upper stages as it rebuilds its Cape Canaveral launch complex. The post Blue Origin to test New Glenn upper stages at Stennis appeared first on SpaceNews
New Glenn
Blue Origin to conduct New Glenn second stage hot fires on Stennis B-2 stand
NASA and Blue Origin have finalized plans to hot-fire test the second stage of the… The post Blue Origin to conduct New Glenn second stage hot fires on Stennis B-2 stand appeared first on NASASpaceFlight.com.
New Glenn
NASA to Support Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Testing, Advance Artemis
NASA and Blue Origin announced Friday they recently agreed to conduct second stage hot fire testing for the company’s New Glenn rocket on the B-2 test stand at the agency’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Missis
Artemis
New Glenn
Facts last reviewed 2026-07-12. Official mission page: blueorigin.com