NASA allows Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch vehicle to launch by 2027
In the summer, SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance (ULA) won NASA’s tender for launches until 2027. Newcomers represented by Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman were refused. Interestingly, the head of Blue Origin Jeff Bezos did not fold his hands. His efforts forced NASA to renegotiate contracts and include the New Glenn Blue Origin launch vehicle in the catalogue of commercial launches until 2027.
Blue Origin expects to complete the first test flight of the New Glenn launch vehicle next year with the provision of commercial launches from 2025 (under the NASA LS II program). The rocket can be launched both in a two-stage version and in a three-stage one. The first stage is reversible, with an estimated service life of 25 stars. The first and second stage engines – BE-4 (under development) – run on a liquid methane/oxygen mixture. The third stage operates on a hydrogen/oxygen mixture. The engines of the second and third stages are designed to operate in a vacuum.
In a two-stage configuration, the New Glenn launch vehicle can launch up to 45 tons of payload into low-earth orbit. New Glenn can deliver up to 13 tons to the geo transfer orbit. In NASA Launch Services II missions, to which Blue Origin is now admitted, it is required to place over 250 kg of payload into a circular orbit with an altitude of over 200 km with an inclination of 28.5 degrees. New Glenn PH parameters easily take this bar.
