Blue Origin Reaches Orbit
Early on Thursday morning, Blue Origin successfully launched its titanic New Glenn rocket, reaching orbit for the first time in the company’s history. Overcoming initial engine chilling issues and a wayward boat in the keep-out zone, the launch marked a significant milestone for the space enterprise founded by Jeff Bezos.
Launch Details
The Saturn V-sized New Glenn rocket fired up its seven main engines but remained grounded for a few moments as it burned a little liquid methane and oxygen to achieve sufficient thrust-to-weight ratio. Eventually, the rocket began its ascent, moving slowly but steadily. The first stage of the rocket burned for over three minutes before separating at an altitude of 70 km, allowing the upper stage’s two BE-3U engines to propel the payload to orbit. These engines burned for approximately 10 minutes, achieving an orbital velocity of 28,800 kph.
A Historic Achievement
This successful launch is a testament to Blue Origin’s two-decade journey towards reaching orbit. Despite the triumph, Blue Origin’s Ariane Cornell confirmed that the first stage booster did not successfully return to Earth. It was unable to land on the awaiting drone ship, Jacklyn, in the Atlantic Ocean.
Challenges and Delays
The launch was slightly delayed initially due to issues with properly chilling the BE-4 engines, which were warmer than expected. Later, a wayward boat entered the launch site’s keep-out zone, causing further delays until it was cleared. Despite these challenges, the New Glenn rocket lifted off at 2:03 am ET (07:03 UTC), marking a significant achievement for Blue Origin and its ambitious space exploration goals.
Reflections on the Attempt
While the booster recovery attempt was unsuccessful, Blue Origin’s effort should be commended. SpaceX, a key competitor, required 19 launches before achieving a successful booster landing. Blue Origin’s progress along this challenging path marks a considerable achievement in its development of space technology.
Eric Berger
Senior Space Editor