New Glenn Rocket Soars on First Flight

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket blasted off successfully on its first flight Friday, March 21, 2025.

The launch happened at 2:03 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Jeff Bezos’ company aimed to prove its giant rocket could reach orbit and compete with big players like SpaceX.

A Historic Lift-Off

The New Glenn stands tall at 320 feet. It’s a two-stage rocket with seven BE-4 engines powering the first stage. Those engines roared to life, pushing the rocket skyward with 3.8 million pounds of thrust. The upper stage, fueled by two BE-3U engines, carried a test payload called Blue Ring Pathfinder into orbit. This maiden flight, dubbed NG-1, marked Blue Origin’s first step into orbital missions.

The launch wasn’t just about height. Blue Origin tried to land the first-stage booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. Named “So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance,” the booster didn’t stick the landing. Still, the main goal—reaching orbit—worked perfectly. The upper stage hit its target: an orbit stretching from 1,500 miles to 12,000 miles high.

Years in the Making

Blue Origin has worked on New Glenn for nearly a decade. The company first showed off plans in 2016, aiming for a 2020 launch. Delays piled up, mostly tied to engine development. The BE-4 engines, built in-house, took time to perfect. By late 2024, the rocket was ready for tests. A hotfire run in December lit up all seven engines for 24 seconds, paving the way for Friday’s flight.

This wasn’t a rushed job. Blue Origin rebuilt Launch Complex 36 from scratch. They added huge towers, a water tank, and a giant factory nearby. The rocket rolled out in February 2024, standing proud. Friday’s launch came after a few hiccups—weather and ice issues scrubbed earlier tries in January. But when it flew, it flew true.

A Boost for Bezos’ Vision

Jeff Bezos wants millions living in space. New Glenn is his big bet to make that real. It can haul 45 tons to low Earth orbit—twice what many rockets carry. The fairing, a wide 23 feet, fits big cargo. NASA, Amazon, and others have signed up for future rides. “This is a huge step for us,” said Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO. “Orbit on the first try is rare.”

The booster landing flopped, but that’s no shock. SpaceX took 19 tries to land its Falcon 9. Blue Origin plans to reuse New Glenn’s first stage up to 25 times. They’ll tweak and try again. The data from this flight will help them nail it next time.

Rivals and Records

SpaceX rules the launch game with Falcon 9 and Starship. New Glenn steps up as a rival. It’s not as big as Starship, but it’s stronger than Falcon 9. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan uses BE-4 engines too, showing Blue Origin’s tech is in demand. This flight puts Bezos’ crew on the map for heavy-lift launches.

The timing’s perfect. Demand for satellites is soaring. Amazon’s Project Kuiper needs rockets for 3,200 internet satellites. NASA picked New Glenn for Mars missions, though those wait for more flights. The U.S. Space Force wants it certified for secret payloads. Friday’s success is a green light to chase those deals.

What’s Next for New Glenn?

This launch changes things. Blue Origin joins the orbital club—only a few have done it on their first go. The company’s got more rockets in the works. They aim to fly eight times a year, a steady pace. Customers are lined up, from telecoms to science probes. If they land that booster next time, costs drop, and doors open wider.

For now, Blue Origin celebrates. The team in Florida cheered as New Glenn hit orbit. Bezos watched from mission control, smiling big. The next flight’s already in sight—spring 2025, maybe with a landing. Success here could mean more jobs, more launches, and a bigger slice of the space pie. New Glenn’s off the ground, and it’s just getting started.