New Glenn
Updated: Wikipedia source
New Glenn is a family of space launch rockets developed and operated by the American company Blue Origin. The rocket has two configurations, one operational and one conceptual, both using a two stage partially reusable design with a seven meter (23ft) diameter. Development of New Glenn began prior to 2013 and was officially announced in 2016. The rocket is named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth. The inaugural vehicle was unveiled on the launch pad in February 2024. Its maiden flight took place on January 16, 2025 from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36. Carrying a Blue Ring spacecraft, the launch served as the first of several demonstration flights required for certification for the National Security Space Launch program. As with Blue Origin's suborbital New Shepard rocket, New Glenn's first stage is designed for reuse. It lands at sea on a modified barge called Landing Platform Vessel 1. On November 13, 2025, the first stage achieved its first successful landing following New Glenn's second flight. New Glenn is scheduled to launch Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander on robotic missions planned for early 2026 and late 2027. The original version of New Glenn, or New Glenn 7x2, is a heavy-lift launch vehicle developed and operated by the American company Blue Origin. The first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines, while the second stage uses two BE-3U engines, both designed and built by Blue Origin. It launches from Cape Canaveral Launch Complex 36, with future missions planned from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 9. It is one of three operational US heavy-lift rockets, alongside United Launch Alliance's Vulcan Centaur and SpaceX's Falcon Heavy. A super heavy-lift version called New Glenn 9×4 is in development. It features nine BE-4 engines on the first stage, four BE-3U engines on the second stage, and an enlarged payload fairing measuring 8.7 meters (29 ft) in diameter.