On January 16, 2025, at 2:03 a.m. EST, Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. This inaugural flight, designated NG-1, marked a significant milestone for the company, achieving its primary objective of reaching orbit.
The mission carried the Blue Ring Pathfinder payload, an in-house test satellite equipped with a communications array, power systems, and a flight computer. While the payload deployment was successful, the reusable first-stage booster did not achieve a safe landing on the recovery barge, with telemetry lost minutes after liftoff. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp acknowledged the setback, stating that the company will investigate the issue before the next planned mission in the spring.
The New Glenn rocket, named in honor of astronaut John Glenn, stands 320 feet tall and is powered by seven BE-4 engines. This successful launch positions Blue Origin as a formidable competitor in the commercial space industry, alongside companies like SpaceX.