Our next (really) big step - an orbital reusable launch vehicle that will build the road to space.
Named after pioneering astronaut John Glenn, New Glenn is a single configuration heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of carrying people and payloads routinely to Earth orbit and beyond. Featuring a reusable first stage built for 25 missions, New Glenn will build a road to space.
New Glenn's fully reusable first stage is designed for a minimum of 25 flights, making it competitive for a variety of launch markets. Civil, commercial and national security customers can all find solutions in New Glenn's high-performance configuration.
New Glenn is a reliable, cost-competitive system with high availability. The 7-meter fairing has two times the payload volume of any existing launch vehicle, which means more room for satelites and the freedom to build in more capacity. New Glenn is also able to launch and land in 95% of weather conditions, making it a reliable option for payload customers.
New Glenn lifts off from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. Following stage separation, the first stage flies back to Earth and lands nearly 1,000 km downrange on a moving ship, allowing the booster to land in heavy sea-states. The second stage engines ignite and the 7-meter fairing separates. The mission is complete when the payload is delivered safely to orbit.
New Glenn’s 7-meter fairing has 2x the usable volume of any existing launch vehicle.
Low Earth Orbit
Geostationary Transfer Orbit
New Glenn, our orbital launch vehicle, is designed for operational reusability from the beginning. BE-4, the world’s most powerful liquid oxygen / liquefied natural gas engine, will enable New Glenn to launch payloads over 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit beginning in 2021.
New Glenn features more than twice the payload volume of any 5-meter class commercial launch system.
The hydrogen upper stage is designed for demanding, highly energetic missions to LEO, MEO, GEO and beyond.
The second stage is powered by two re-ignitable BE-3U engines delivering 1,100 kN (240,000 lbf) of thrust.
The four forward fins are actuated aerodynamic control surfaces used for attitude adjustment during descent and landing of the first stage.
The first stage of New Glenn is designed for reuse and requires minimal maintenance and inspection between flights.
Two wing-like strakes provide lift and cross-range for the reusable first stage as it flies back to Earth.
The aft module houses six hydraulically actuated legs that support and secure the first stage during landing on a moving ship.
Designed for 25 flights
$2.5 billion invested in New Glenn to date
Civil, Commercial and National Security customers
More volume means more satellites and the freedom to design in more capability
First stage powered by seven BE-4 LNG/LOX engines, upper stage powered by two BE-3U LH2/LOX engines
Launch in nearly all weather conditions and sea-states
Blue Origin has built a 180,000 m2 (650,000 ft2) complex to manufacture, integrate and operate New Glenn on Florida’s Space Coast. Rocket stages, payload fairings and adapters will be built and integrated in Florida only 9 miles from the launch pad. The complex is also home to our launch and mission control centers.
New Glenn will liftoff from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This historic site hosted over 140 Atlas II/III rocket launches including the Mariner, Pioneer and Surveyor missions. The rebuilt complex will also be home to New Glenn’s payload integration and first stage refurbishment centers. For launches to high-inclination polar orbits, we are pursuing a West Coast launch complex at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
Contact us below to see how New Glenn's single configuration and massive volume can meet your needs.
