Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin launches New Glenn rocket on first test flight

The flight is a significant achievement after the launch faced several delays due to weather conditions

Updated on: Jan 16, 2025, 13:19:00 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Jeff Bezos, successfully launched its reusable New Glenn rocket on January 16 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, reported Bloomberg.

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket lifts off (Photo by Gregg Newton / AFP) (AFP)

This inaugural flight marks a significant achievement for the company following several delays due to weather conditions and technical challenges.

The New Glenn Rocket, which is 320 feet tall, is set to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 by demonstrating reusability, a key feature that helps reduce launch costs and enhance mission efficiency.

Also Read: NASA's Sunita Williams and Butch Wilmore issue ‘heartbreaking’ plea from ISS after being left stranded

The mission, named NG-1, aimed to demonstrate the rocket's capabilities by placing the Blue Ring Pathfinder test satellite into orbit and landing the rocket's booster onto a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean.

The launch of the New Glenn is also important to clear a $10 billion backlog of contracts for customers such as NASA and the US defense department.

Also Read: Carried by SpaceX rockets, Bengaluru firm's ‘Fireflies’ make India's first private satellite constellation

Blue Origin is also a part of NASA's Artemis programme, which aims to send humans to the moon, and the rocket's success will help cement them as a viable option alongside Musk's SpaceX.

Bezos told Bloomberg, “There is going to be new uses for space that’s going to drive demand for large capacity up."

Also Read: ISRO successfully docks SpaDeX satellites in space, creates history

“SpaceX is going to be very successful. They’re going to continue to be very successful. Blue Origin is going to be successful. And there’s some company that hasn’t even been founded yet, hasn’t even been thought of yet — they’re going to be successful, too," he added stating that there were multiple winners in the space race.

Blue Origin plans to launch six to eight New Glenn flights in 2025, CEO Dave Limp told Bloomberg.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More

Get the latest World News, breaking headlines and global updates from the US, UK, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Russia and other countries. Follow major international events on Hindustan Times.