Jeff Bezos’ space exploration firm, Blue Origin, has said that it is prepared to launch the New Glenn rocket before the end of 2024.

But regulatory approval is still pending for this enormous rocket’s final, vital test.

During the test, known as a “hot fire,” the rocket is positioned on the launch pad and all seven of the first stage’s BE-4 engines are fired to full force. This is intended to replicate real-world lift-off circumstances.

New Glenn’s role in Bezos’s vision for space industry

Blue Origin’s future ambitions depend on the hot fire test being completed successfully.

The business will proceed with integrating the fairing, which transports the payload, if all goes according to plan. The final step prior to launch is this.

Bezos has emphasised that New Glenn is essential to his strategy of reducing launch expenses sufficiently to send all polluting industries into orbit.

Comparison with other rockets

The New Glenn rocket can transport up to 45 metric tonnes (44,996 kg) to low Earth orbit (LEO) from its 320-foot height.

In its reusable version, this makes it more potent than SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur.

It falls short of SpaceX’s Starship, the largest rocket ever built, which can carry 100–150 metric tonnes to low Earth orbit.

New Glenn’s impact on Blue Origin’s profitability

One of the main factors that contributes to Blue Origin’s profitability is the effective operation of New Glenn.

Bezos has expressed his desire for the company to grow into his largest business endeavour to date, despite the fact that its financials remain confidential.

He explained, “I think it’s going to be the best business that I’ve ever been involved in, but it’s going to take a while.”

New Glenn’s inaugural mission and future plans

During a launch window that opened this October, New Glenn’s first mission was scheduled to deliver two prominent satellites to Mars for NASA.

NASA has rescheduled this project for a spring 2025 launch from New Glenn due to possible delays.

A demonstrator payload for Blue Origin’s Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle will now be tested by the NG-1 mission.

Blue Origin’s certification launches and regulatory hurdles

New Glenn’s inaugural flight will also be the first of two certification launches required by the US Space Force’s National Security Space Launch program for Blue Origin to begin delivering national security payloads.

Blue Origin must first obtain regulatory approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) before any of this can take place.

The business may only launch the rocket from Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station after obtaining these permits.