Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Launch Crucial for Future Missions

Blue Origin’s upcoming launch of the New Glenn rocket is pivotal for the company’s future ambitions, particularly its plans for lunar exploration and Mars missions. The second flight of this heavy-lifter will deliver two NASA-funded satellites to study Mars’s upper atmosphere, focusing on the planet’s transition from a warmer, wetter environment to its current cold, dry state. A successful launch will not only advance scientific research but also bring Blue Origin closer to obtaining certification from the U.S. Space Force for launching national security satellites.

The stakes are particularly high as Blue Origin aims to recover the first-stage booster of the New Glenn rocket during this mission. This recovery is essential for the company’s plans to launch its first robotic Moon lander, slated for early next year. To achieve this, crews will deploy Blue Origin’s landing platform into the Atlantic Ocean, mirroring the approach taken during the inaugural New Glenn flight in January. Although that first launch successfully reached orbit, the booster fell into the ocean after three engines failed to reignite for landing.

In response, engineers have implemented seven design changes aimed at improving “propellant management and engine bleed control.” Pat Remias, Blue Origin’s Vice President of Space Systems Development, expressed confidence in the upcoming attempt, stating, “We fully intend to recover the New Glenn first stage on this next launch.” The anticipated launch window is set for no earlier than November from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Strategic Importance of the New Glenn Launch

The upcoming launch represents a critical moment not just for Blue Origin but also for its founder, billionaire Jeff Bezos, and the broader context of U.S. space ambitions. The booster for this mission has been dubbed “Never Tell Me The Odds,” reflecting the company’s bold commitment to reusing its hardware effectively. This launch is particularly significant as it sets the stage for the third New Glenn flight, planned for January 2024, which will utilize the same booster if the recovery is successful.

The payload for that mission will include Blue Origin’s first lunar lander, known as Blue Moon Mark 1. This uncrewed vehicle is designed to deliver up to 3 metric tons (approximately 6,600 pounds) of cargo to the lunar surface, surpassing the height of the lunar landers used during NASA’s Apollo missions at about 26 feet (or 8 meters). Blue Origin aims to demonstrate its lander’s capabilities in support of NASA’s efforts to return astronauts to the Moon.

The launch strategy is ambitious, with Blue Origin initially planning eight New Glenn flights this year. However, it now anticipates concluding with just two. Laura Maginnis, the company’s Vice President of New Glenn Mission Management, indicated that they are building a fleet of several boosters while also having eight upper stages in storage. This preparation could facilitate a quicker ramp-up in launch frequency next year.

Challenges and Future Prospects

Despite the preparations, challenges remain. Blue Origin has yet to inspect or test a recovered New Glenn booster, and any issues that arise from the recovery could impact future launches. Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, acknowledged that successful recovery on the second flight will require “a little bit of luck and a lot of excellent execution.”

The implications of a successful launch extend beyond Blue Origin’s commercial goals. With China also advancing its lunar program and targeting a crewed landing by 2030, the urgency for the United States to expedite its lunar ambitions is apparent. Experts suggest that leveraging a modified version of Blue Origin’s Mark 1 lander could accelerate progress for NASA.

The coming weeks will be critical for Blue Origin as it gears up for this significant launch. If successful, it will not only mark a pivotal moment for the New Glenn rocket but also contribute to a broader narrative of renewed U.S. efforts in space exploration and technology.