Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Launch: How and When to Watch Live

Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Launch: A New Era in Space Exploration

Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is on the verge of a significant milestone with the launch of its New Glenn rocket. On January 12th at 1 AM ET, the 320-foot-tall rocket is slated to make its debut from Cape Canaveral, Florida, following nearly a decade of development. This launch is pivotal, not only for Blue Origin but also in the ongoing commercial space race against Elon Musk's SpaceX.

What is New Glenn?

The New Glenn rocket was first announced in 2016 and is designed to transport cargo and satellites into space, with aspirations to ferry humans in the future. Named after NASA astronaut John Glenn, the rocket's first stage is powered by seven BE-4 engines that utilize liquefied natural gas and liquid oxygen.

Technical Specifications and Goals

• Reusability: The first stage is engineered for multiple reuses, aiming for at least 25 missions, with plans for vertical landings on a sea-based platform.
• Payload Capacity: Can carry 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit.
• Safety: Constructed with robust safety measures to accommodate human missions.

The Competition with SpaceX

New Glenn shares a comparable payload capacity with SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy but features a larger 23-foot-wide cargo bay. A successful launch could intensify the competition between Blue Origin and SpaceX, especially for lucrative government contracts.

Implications for Project Kuiper

The launch is also critical for Amazon's Project Kuiper, an initiative to deploy satellites for a broadband internet service. Although the first batch of Kuiper satellites is scheduled to launch on a Falcon 9 rocket, New Glenn will eventually support the initiative, adding further competition to SpaceX’s Starlink.

What to Expect from the Launch

The January launch will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder, a payload designed to test a variety of systems, including communications and power systems necessary for future missions. According to Blue Origin’s CEO, David Limp, achieving orbit is the primary goal, while landing the reusable booster would be seen as a bonus.

How to Watch the Launch Live

A live stream of the launch will likely be available on Blue Origin's official website and YouTube channel. We encourage everyone to tune in and witness this groundbreaking event in space exploration.

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