Blue Origin has completed its hot-fire test, one step closer to launching its maiden voyage of the New Glenn rocket. The 24-second test fire was successful, meeting all objectives and marking the final major test prior to launch.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) gave Blue Origin the go-ahead to proceed with the upcoming launch earlier in the day. The company received a new launch license from the FAA, which enables it to become a competitor to SpaceX in the orbital payload game.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is designed to be a multi-stage rocket, necessary for reaching orbit. This maiden launch, known as NG-1, will not only be the first for this rocket but also serve as a certification flight to prove its capabilities.
The company is contracted by NASA to launch its EscaPADE mission to Mars in 2025, and CEO Dave Limp has stated his goal of launching the rocket by year’s end. A launch date has yet to be announced, with Limp stating that Blue Origin is “really close” to a launch date.
This achievement marks an important milestone for Blue Origin, which was founded by former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The company’s New Glenn rocket will carry payloads and paying passengers on a short ride to the edge of space, setting it up for a major presence in the orbital payload market.
Source: https://eu.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2024/12/27/the-blue-origin-new-glenn-rocket-hot-static-fire-up-ahead-of-inaugural-launch/77159415007