The next mission of New Glenn rocket represents a new advance in the dynamics of the private space industry. Blue Originthe company founded by Jeff Bezosis ready to execute the vehicle’s third orbital flight from the space station Cape Canaveral. This launch constitutes a fundamental step to strengthen its position in the commercial cargo market and deepen its participation in the United States lunar program, according to USA Today and Florida Today.
New Glenn could take off on April 17 with the largest commercial low-orbit satellite
The launch of New Glenn is tentatively scheduled for 6:45 a.m. Friday, April 17, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the agency said. Federal Aviation Administration. This operation, identified as NG-3 missionrepresents the vehicle’s third flight since its debut in January 2025.
On this occasion, the New Glenn will carry the satellite for the first time Block 2 BlueBird of AST SpaceMobilewhich the company describes as the largest commercial satellite yet deployed in low Earth orbit.
Its communication matrix, with a surface of 2,400 square feetis designed to expand global broadband access through a cellular network capable of connecting directly to conventional mobile phones. The satellite has already been integrated into the rocket casing, he explained. Florida Today.
Before confirming the launch date, Blue Origin must complete a “hot fire”a test that consists of turning on the main rocket engines in a vertical position on the platform to verify their operation. This procedure is essential to authorize takeoff.
Blue Origin bets on reuse with the New Glenn
The New Glenn reaches a height of 321 feet (97.8 meters) and competes in dimensions with the NASA Space Launch System (SLS). Only the historical Saturn Vat 363 feet, surpassed that mark during the Apollo missions to the Moon. Currently, only the SpaceX Starshipdeveloped by Elon Muskwith 403 feet highsurpasses New Glenn as the world’s largest operational rocket, they reported Florida Today and USA Today.
The first flight of the New Glenn took place in January 2025. On its most recent mission in November, the spacecraft managed to land its first stage on the deck of the unmanned ship for the first time. jacklynnamed after Jeff Bezos’ mother, after an initial failed attempt.
Blue Origin seeks to repeat the feat and advance its plan to reuse key components in its launches to make orbital missions cheaper. On the next flight, it will again use the first stage of the rocket, a 57-meter structure named “Never Tell Me the Odds”according to Florida Today.
The future of lunar and broadband satellite exploration
Jeff Bezos’ vision for Blue Origin transcends low Earth orbit. The company develops an expanded version of the rocket, called New Glenn 9×4which will reach almost 400 feet high and a power of 5.7 million pounds of thrust at takeoff, thanks to nine BE-4 engines in the first stage and four BE-3U engines in the second, according to USA Today.
On the other hand, the New Glenn has also been selected to launch, towards the end of 2026, the unmanned version of the lunar module Blue Moon Mark 1 and the manned landing Mark 2. The latter will compete with the system SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System within the program NASA Artemis.
Both companies adjust their schedules to match the mission Artemis III in 2027, which will serve as a test for orbital docking and will precede the return of American astronauts to the lunar surface.
In its current design, the New Glenn is prepared to withstand at least 25 reusable flights of its first stage and transport both the satellites Amazon Leo, previously Project Kuiper, such as global telecommunications projects and scientific missions for NASA.
Consequently, the company aims to achieve a frequency of up to 12 annual releases from Cape Canaveral, a goal announced by the company in 2025. The objective is to establish itself as a regular supplier for a wide range of clients, including NASA and private sector companies focused on global connectivity, such as AST SpaceMobile.
