Blue Origin Unveils Bigger New Glenn Rocket to Compete with SpaceX

Blue Origin has announced significant upgrades to its New Glenn rocket, introducing a super-heavy variant designed to compete directly with SpaceX’s Starship. Following the success of its second test flight, the company revealed the new design, named New Glenn 9×4. This version will feature an impressive nine engines on the booster and four on the upper stage, an increase of two engines for each stage compared to the original model, which has seven engines on the booster and two on the upper stage.

In a statement, Blue Origin remarked, “The next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is a new super-heavy class rocket.” This announcement comes shortly after the successful launch of New Glenn’s second mission, which sent NASA’s ESCAPADE mission toward Mars. While Blue Origin has not disclosed the timeline for launching the upgraded variant, it has outlined a packed schedule for 2026 and 2027.

Upgraded Capabilities and Market Position

The New Glenn 9×4 is poised to enhance Blue Origin’s launch capabilities significantly. With the added thrust from its nine engines, this rocket will be able to lift over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, more than 14 metric tons to geosynchronous orbit, and over 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection. Although these figures are below SpaceX’s Starship capacity of up to 150 metric tons to low Earth orbit, the New Glenn 9×4 is nonetheless a powerful addition to the market.

The upgraded rocket will also feature a larger fairing, measuring 28.5 feet (8.7 meters), allowing for bigger payloads. Blue Origin emphasized that both the 9×4 and the current 7×2 version of New Glenn will operate concurrently, providing customers with a diverse range of launch options. These include services for mega-constellations, lunar exploration, deep space missions, and national security projects, such as the Golden Dome initiative.

A Path of Progress and Challenges

Blue Origin first introduced its New Glenn rocket in January, following years of development and delays. The inaugural flight faced challenges, particularly the failure to recover the booster during its descent. A subsequent investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration prompted the company to implement seven corrective measures before the rocket could fly again. The successful execution of the second mission marked a significant improvement for the company and validated the rocket’s potential.

Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, shared an illustration of the upgraded New Glenn standing taller next to the historic Saturn V rocket, which famously carried astronauts to the Moon during NASA’s Apollo program. The visual comparison emphasizes the substantial size and capability of the New Glenn 9×4.

As Blue Origin focuses on expanding its offerings, the introduction of the super-heavy variant positions the company to compete with SpaceX on a larger scale. The recent advancements in the New Glenn program not only highlight Blue Origin’s commitment to innovation and growth but also reflect the evolving landscape of the commercial space industry. With the new rocket, the company aims to establish itself firmly in the competitive arena of orbital launches.