Blue Origin takes off with New Glenn: A new race in space!

Blue Origin takes off with New Glenn: A new race in space!

In a significant step for private space travel, the company Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has successfully tested its new rocket "New Glenn". The impressive 98 meter high rocket took off from the historic Cape Canaveral in Florida. Jeff Bezos explained on the platform X that despite intensive preparations, the actual flight was irreplaceable: "Everything that goes beyond that is the cherry on the cake", as is The Krone reported.

The first test flight of the "New Glenn" took place on Thursday and was considered a complete success. During this flight, a prototype satellite was sent to space, which was supposed to circle the earth in a high orbit. While the rocket tried to land the booster level in the Atlantic on the first attempt, the main focus was nevertheless put on the satellite, which was enthusiastically accepted with its successful reaching of the orbit. "What a fantastic day," commented Ariane Cornell from Blue Origin, while the team cheered when the satellite was properly brought to its track, as well as AP news

new competition for SpaceX

With the "New Glenn", Blue Origin wants to compete against the market leader SpaceX, whose rocket "Falcon Heavy" has been in use for years. Blue Origin plans to carry out up to eight flights with the "New Glenn" this year, with the next plane coming up in spring 2025. Bezos does not see space travel as a competition in the traditional sense, but pleads for a collaboration of all actors in the industry in order to reduce the costs of access to space. "There are room for many winners," emphasized Bezos.

The "New Glenn" is designed to bring astronauts into space in addition to satellites and even contribute to the moon mission. The test flight is the first step in a new era of space travel, in which private companies will play an increasingly central role. It remains to be seen how the race in space will develop between the giants Bezos and Musk.