Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Returns After Mars Mission Test
▼ Summary
– Blue Origin successfully landed its 18-story New Glenn rocket on a floating Atlantic Ocean platform, marking a historic achievement for the company.
– The rocket launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, after delays due to poor weather and a solar storm earlier in the week.
– Blue Origin’s CEO Dave Limp declared full mission success, noting it was the first time a booster this large landed perfectly on its second attempt.
– The New Glenn carried two NASA science probes to Mars, the first operational satellites to fly on this rocket named for astronaut John Glenn.
– The rocket’s first stage used seven BE-4 engines producing over 3.8 million pounds of thrust before separating to allow the second stage to continue to orbit.
The successful launch and recovery of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket marks a pivotal moment for the commercial space industry, demonstrating advanced reusability with a massive orbital-class booster. On Thursday afternoon, the vehicle lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, embarking on a crucial mission that culminated in a flawless landing on an ocean-based platform. This achievement underscores significant progress in developing reliable and cost-effective access to space.
Originally scheduled for Sunday, the launch faced delays first from unfavorable local weather conditions and later from a solar storm that increased radiation levels near Earth. Despite these challenges, the New Glenn rocket ascended smoothly into clear skies at 3:55 PM EST. Just nine minutes after liftoff, its first stage completed a precise touchdown on a drone ship stationed in the Atlantic Ocean, a feat described by Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp as “full mission success.” He emphasized the historic nature of the landing, noting that a booster of this scale had never before been recovered successfully on a second attempt.
The mission itself carried substantial scientific importance, deploying two NASA probes destined for Mars. These instruments are now beginning a two-year interplanetary journey, representing the first operational satellites to fly aboard the New Glenn. The rocket is named in honor of John Glenn, the celebrated NASA astronaut. During its ascent, the vehicle performed flawlessly, with its seven BE-4 main engines firing for nearly three minutes. These engines, generating a combined thrust exceeding 3.8 million pounds, burned a combination of chilled liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen. Following first stage separation, the upper stage, equipped with two BE-3U engines fueled by liquid hydrogen, ignited to propel the payloads toward their intended orbit.
(Source: Ars Technica)
