Blue Origin, the private spaceflight company founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, has announced ambitious plans to develop an enhanced version of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket as well as a new "super heavy" variant to compete with SpaceX's Starship launch system. This move comes on the heels of Blue Origin's successful launch of NASA's ESCAPADE Mars mission and recovery of the New Glenn first stage during the rocket's second flight on November 13th.
The ESCAPADE mission, consisting of twin satellites, aims to investigate the interaction between the solar wind and Mars' magnetic environment, and how this drives atmospheric escape on the Red Planet. By launching this scientific payload, Blue Origin has demonstrated the growing capabilities of its partially reusable New Glenn rocket in delivering spacecraft to destinations beyond Earth orbit.
Planned Enhancements to the New Glenn
Following the success of the NG-2 mission, Blue Origin outlined a series of upgrades for the New Glenn, including:
- Higher-performing BE-4 booster engines, increasing thrust from 2,400 kN to 2,847 kN each
- Improved BE-3U upper stage engines, boosting thrust from 1,423 kN to 1,779 kN
- Structural enhancements to the rocket's tanks and thermal protection system
- A reusable payload fairing to support increased launch frequencies
- Upgraded avionics for enhanced performance and reliability
These enhancements are expected to benefit Blue Origin's customers, enabling the New Glenn to deliver payloads to a variety of destinations, including low-Earth orbit, the Moon, and beyond. The company plans to introduce the upgraded BE-4 engines on the rocket's next flight (NG-3), with the improved BE-3U engines to be integrated over subsequent missions.
Introducing the New Glenn 9x4 "Super Heavy" Variant
In addition to enhancing the existing New Glenn design, Blue Origin has revealed plans for a "super heavy" version of the rocket, designated as the New Glenn 9x4. This nomenclature refers to the number of BE-4 and BE-3U engines powering the rocket's first and upper stages, respectively.
The New Glenn 9x4 will feature a larger payload fairing, measuring 8.7 meters in diameter compared to the current 7-meter fairing. According to Blue Origin's design specifications, this super heavy launch vehicle will have the capacity to deliver:
- 70 metric tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO)
- 14 metric tons to Geosynchronous Orbit (GSO)
- 20 metric tons to a Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) trajectory
These payload capabilities position the New Glenn 9x4 as a direct competitor to SpaceX's Starship, which is being developed to transport crew and cargo to Earth orbit, the Moon, and eventually Mars. Both the enhanced New Glenn and the super heavy variant are intended to improve rocket performance and launch cadence, ensuring Blue Origin remains competitive in the rapidly growing satellite launch market, which is projected to reach $35.95 billion by 2030.
Blue Origin's Role in NASA's Artemis Program
Blue Origin is also set to play a significant role in NASA's Artemis Program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence on the lunar surface. The company is slated to provide crew and payload services for Artemis V and VI missions.
"Blue Origin's heavy-lift capabilities with the New Glenn rocket will be instrumental in supporting NASA's ambitious goals for lunar exploration under the Artemis Program," said Dr. Sarah Johnson, a space policy expert at the Smithsonian Institution.
However, the future of NASA's Artemis Program beyond the initial Artemis III mission remains uncertain, due to the current administration's fiscal year 2026 budget request, which proposes the cancellation of the Space Launch System (SLS), Orion spacecraft, and Lunar Gateway. If these cancellations are implemented, NASA may increasingly rely on commercial partners like Blue Origin for its launch and crewed spacecraft needs.
Competing for Additional NASA Contracts
In light of the recent announcement by acting NASA Director Sean Duffy regarding a new competitive bidding process for the Human Landing System (HLS), Blue Origin is well-positioned to secure additional contracts with the space agency. The company's Blue Moon lunar lander, unveiled in 2019, is a strong contender for ferrying astronauts to and from the lunar surface.
Furthermore, Blue Origin aims to secure contracts for deep space exploration missions, such as the recently launched ESCAPADE, and national security programs like Golden Dome. The company's growing capabilities and reliability in heavy-lift launch services make it an attractive partner for NASA and other government agencies.
Conclusion
As Blue Origin continues to enhance its New Glenn rocket and develop a super heavy variant, the company is demonstrating its commitment to advancing space exploration and competing in the commercial launch market. With its successful track record and ambitious plans for the future, Blue Origin is poised to play a significant role in shaping the next era of human spaceflight and scientific discovery.
