#Science & Technology

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Successfully Reaches Orbit on Maiden Flight

Cape Canaveral, Florida – January 18, 2025 – Blue Origin’s much-anticipated New Glenn rocket embarked on its maiden voyage Thursday, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. The 320-foot (98-meter) rocket, named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, launched from the historic Florida pad once used for NASA’s Mariner and Pioneer missions.

The rocket carried a prototype satellite on an experimental platform designed to host or deploy satellites into precise orbits. Liftoff occurred in the predawn hours, with all seven main engines firing flawlessly. Spectators gathered on nearby beaches cheered as the rocket blazed through the sky, reaching orbit 13 minutes after launch.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin and Amazon, was present in Mission Control to oversee the mission. The achievement was met with widespread acclaim, including praise from SpaceX’s Elon Musk.

While the first-stage booster missed its targeted landing on an Atlantic barge, Blue Origin emphasized that the primary objective—achieving orbit—was successfully accomplished. Bezos had tempered expectations ahead of the launch, calling the landing attempt “a little crazy” for a first flight.

New Glenn’s debut represents years of effort and significant investment in reusable rocket technology, with Bezos positioning the vehicle as a cornerstone for future commercial and scientific missions. The success paves the way for Blue Origin’s expanding role in the competitive space industry.

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