# Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Progresses Towards Launch with Important Achievements
Blue Origin, the aerospace company established by Jeff Bezos, has made a crucial move towards the anticipated launch of its substantial *New Glenn* rocket. On Tuesday evening, the firm transported the first stage of the rocket to its launch location at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This event signifies a key advancement in the creation of the heavy-lift vehicle, which aims to compete with SpaceX’s *Falcon Heavy* and *Starship* rockets in the commercial aerospace arena.
## The Route to the Launch Location
Even though Blue Origin’s rocket manufacturing facility is situated only a few miles from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, the massive size of the *New Glenn* rocket and its transporter necessitated a more roundabout journey. According to Blue Origin’s CEO, Dave Limp, the trip to the launch pad covered 23 miles.
The company has affectionately referred to its transporter as “GERT,” an abbreviation for “Giant Enormous Rocket Truck.” This specially designed vehicle is an engineering marvel in its own right, made up of two trailers joined by cradles and a strongback assembly. The transporter features 22 axles and 176 tires, and it is towed by an Oshkosh M1070, a repurposed U.S. Army tank transporter with a power output of 505 horsepower and 1,825 pound-feet of torque.
Measuring 310 feet (95 meters) in length and 23 feet (7 meters) in diameter, the *New Glenn* booster is too large to pass under standard bridges, requiring a meticulously planned route to reach the launch site.
## A Significant Achievement for Blue Origin
The transfer of the rocket to the launch location is a clear sign that the first stage of *New Glenn* is approaching its inaugural launch. Once it takes to the skies, *New Glenn* will mark the third commercial heavy-lift rocket available in the U.S. market, joining SpaceX’s *Falcon Heavy* and *Starship*. This progression highlights the increasing influence of commercial entities within the U.S. space sector, which has historically been dominated by federal agencies like NASA.
One notable feature of *New Glenn* is its fully reusable first stage, engineered to land on a droneship post-launch. This reusability aspect is essential for minimizing space mission costs and enhancing access to space.
However, prior to its launch, the rocket must complete two essential evaluations. The first is a “wet dress rehearsal,” where the rocket will be completely fueled, and its ground systems will be assessed. Subsequently, a hot-fire test will occur, igniting the seven BE-4 engines on the first stage for several seconds to confirm their proper function.
## The Path Forward: Final Adjustments
Just over a month ago, Blue Origin successfully concluded a 15-second hot-fire test of the *New Glenn* second stage. Powered by two BE-3U engines that utilize liquid oxygen and hydrogen to generate 173,000 pounds of thrust, this successful test was a vital advancement. Still, the most demanding phase lies ahead.
The forthcoming assessments will represent the first instance where the flight configurations of both the first and second stages are integrated and linked to the ground systems at Cape Canaveral. The complexity and size of the rocket suggest potential hurdles during this integration phase. As implied by Blue Origin’s transporter, GERT, these are intricate machines, and any slight complication could postpone the launch.
## Will *New Glenn* Launch in 2024?
Jeff Bezos is advocating for Blue Origin to initiate the launch of *New Glenn* by the close of 2024, but the timing is rapidly becoming constrained. The company originally aimed to launch a small payload heading to Mars for NASA, dubbed ESCAPADE, in October, but that launch has already faced delays.
To gauge the timeline, we can reference SpaceX’s *Falcon Heavy* case. SpaceX transported the *Falcon Heavy* to the launch pad for the first time on December 28, 2017. The rocket underwent a hot-fire test on January 24, 2018, and accomplished its launch on February 6, 2018. This entire timeline spanned 40 days.
While *New Glenn* is a distinct vehicle, and Blue Origin lacks the operational experience of SpaceX, this timeline indicates that a launch in early to mid-December might be possible. Nevertheless, any unexpected complications during the concluding tests could delay the launch until early 2025.
## The Future of Commercial Space Exploration
The launch of *New Glenn* will represent a significant milestone not only for Blue Origin but also for the broader commercial space sector. With *New Glenn* entering the U.S. heavy-lift rocket market, competition is set to escalate, potentially leading to lowered costs.
