Blue Origin reusable rocket set to launch

Blue Origin, the aerospace company of billionaire Jeff Bezos, aims to launch its first New Glenn heavy-lift rocket in an attempt to compete with SpaceX in the satellite launch market

LAUNCH
Land
Ocean
Lift-off
Stage separation
Booster flips over before descent
Soft landing on barge
Second stage continues toward orbit

LANDING

First stage: Blue Origin will attempt to land booster on barge in Atlantic, so it can be used again up to 25 times

Barge: Custom-built vessel named after Bezos’ mother, Jacklyn
116m
46m

98m

First stage: Powered by seven BE-4 engines – fuelled by liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen – able to produce more than 3.8 million pounds of thrust

Second stage: Powered by two BE-3U engines, can carry 45 tonnes of cargo to low Earth orbit

Rocket carries Blue Ring Pathfinder – test version of company’s vehicle that will deliver payloads in future

Landing legs: Fold down to stabilise rocket on barge

Source: Blue Origin
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