Blue Origin is gearing up for one of its most significant launches to date. Jeff Bezos’s commercial space company will try to launch its 320-foot-tall New Glenn rocket into space for the first time on Monday morning.
The launch window of three hours opened at 1AM ET on Monday, with Blue Origin’s NG-1 mission countdown set at 2:48AM ET. You can watch the YouTube livestream here.
This launch follows nearly a decade of development and could potentially challenge SpaceX’s dominance in both the commercial space industry and satellite internet business. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know about the New Glenn flight and how to watch it live.
What is New Glenn, and why is it important?
Introduced in 2016, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is designed for transporting cargo, satellites, and eventually humans into space. The rocket is named after John Glenn, the first NASA astronaut to orbit Earth.
The first stage of the rocket is powered by seven of Blue Origin’s BE-4 engines, which utilize liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen. The company plans to reuse the first stage for at least 25 missions by landing it vertically on a sea-based platform after launch.
The upper stage of the rocket is disposable and carries Blue Origin’s payload, with the capability to send varying tonnages to different orbits. New Glenn is also equipped for human spaceflight and has undergone meticulous testing to ensure safety.
Comparisons have been drawn between New Glenn and SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy rocket, with New Glenn offering a larger cargo bay. A successful launch could intensify the competition between Blue Origin and SpaceX for lucrative government contracts.
New Glenn is crucial to Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite internet venture. While the initial satellites are set to launch on SpaceX’s Falcon 9, Blue Origin will eventually use New Glenn for Project Kuiper, competing with SpaceX’s Starlink. Amazon plans to launch over 3,000 satellites as part of Project Kuiper.
What to expect from New Glenn’s first launch
On January 13th, New Glenn is scheduled for liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload on board for testing various spacecraft capabilities.
New Glenn’s flight will test the rocket’s capabilities and systems, with the goal of reaching orbit successfully. Blue Origin is prepared for any outcome and views this launch as a learning opportunity for future endeavors.
How to watch New Glenn’s launch live
Blue Origin will broadcast the launch live on its website, X account, and YouTube channel. The YouTube stream is available above in this article.
Update January 13th: Livestream added, delayed launch timing updated.
