23.12.2024

Spectators watched throughout Saturday afternoon and into the night as Blue Origin's big new rocket, New Glenn, was once again spotted venting steam— an indication more testing was underway.

After completing a possible wet dress rehearsal on Thursday, Blue Origin seemed to be taking what could have been the next step toward the inaugural launch of their New Glenn rocket − a hot fire. This prelaunch test, when it happens, will briefly fire the seven rocket engines. A wet dress rehearsal is when the rocket is fueled but not fired.

FLORIDA TODAY Photographer Craig Bailey was present nearby to capture the activity. However, shortly after 7:30 p.m., activity started to die down without a visible hot fire.

There was no information available on the timeline of Blue Origin's countdown. Blue Origin did not respond to requests for comment.

Yet, it should be noted that rockets launches are a not an easy feat, and companies always take caution when dealing with new vehicles. A mishap could set Blue Origin back years.

Spectators had watched eagerly from the beach − on what was the shortest day of the year. The rocket had vented multiple times, and flare stacks raged. FLORIDA TODAY Photographer Malcolm Denemark was watching earlier in the afternoon as the rocket vented. The activity had been going on for hours until the company finally appeared to be wrapping things up for the night.

SpaceX was set to launch at midnight from Space Launch Complex 40, which brings an activity range conflict.

While Blue Origin has not released any new information, what we know is that a wet dress rehearsal and a hot fire were imminent, per a recent post by the current CEO. On Dec. 16, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp posted to X that wet dress rehearsal and a hot fire test were coming up. These are said to be the final tests before a launch.

Will Blue Origin mean their goal of launching before the end of the year? Time will tell as a launch window is not yet listed on the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) warnings. The Space Coast Office of Tourism has the launch listed as occurring no earlier than December 30.

The New Glenn rocket is the first multi-stage rocket by Blue Origin, which was founded by former Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos. The rocket is named for the first American to orbit the Earth, John Glenn.

It will be the 320-foot tall multistage New Glenn which brings Blue Origin into the orbital − and beyond − payload game, becoming a competitor to SpaceX.

Blue Origin's New Glenn waits for launch date

This launch, known as NG-1, will be not only the first for this rocket, but a certification flight to prove it can carry Department of Defense payloads.

Blue Origin has reported that the payload for this mission will be a test version, known as a pathfinder, of the Blue Ring orbiting platform.

The Blue Ring, which is still in development, has been described as a multi-mission space mobility platform, which can host and deliver 6,613.8 pounds of payloads or spacecraft across 13 onboard ports. Some of the destinations it can send payloads to include geosynchronous orbit, around the moon, and between other planets in the solar system. The company eventually plans to use the technology for Department of Defense missions.

"Blue Ring addresses two of the most difficult challenges in spaceflight today: Growing space infrastructure and the need for increased mobility in space," Blue Origin said in a statement earlier this month. "The spacecraft’s ability to maneuver to multiple orbits and locations, deploy and host payloads, and perform onboard computing and communications will enable groundbreaking missions for a variety of customers."

For now, the Space Coast awaits a launch date for this new rocket − as Blue Origin races for an end of year launch.

Quelle: Florida Today