Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has completed an integrated launch vehicle hotfire test, marking a significant milestone on its road to first flight. The seven-engine hotfire lasted 24 seconds and demonstrated the entire flight vehicle as an integrated system.
The test, which included numerous functional and tanking tests, aimed to validate day-of-launch operations and vehicle performance. The data collected will be used to finalize launch timelines, confirm expected performance, and correlate models with real-world test data.
The hotfire test marked several “firsts” for the New Glenn launch system, including the first seven-engine operation, integrated GS1-GS2 tanking demonstration, and LNG/LOX fill for GS1. The campaign met all objectives and is now complete.
New Glenn stands over 320 feet tall and features a seven-meter payload fairing, enabling twice the volume of standard commercial launch systems. Its reusable first stage aims for at least 25 missions and will land on a sea-based platform. The vehicle is powered by seven BE-4 engines, generating over 3.8 million pounds of thrust.
The successful completion of this test brings Blue Origin closer to its first launch, with several New Glenn vehicles in production and a full customer manifest. Customers include NASA, Amazon’s Project Kuiper, AST SpaceMobile, and U.S. government customers.
Source: https://www.blueorigin.com/news/new-glenn-completes-integrated-launch-vehicle-hotfire