Blue Origin has announced the development of a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket, aiming to enhance its competitiveness against SpaceX’s Starship. This new model, named New Glenn 9×4, will feature an increased number of engines, boasting nine on the booster and four on the upper stage. This represents an upgrade from the previous design, which had seven engines on the booster and two on the upper stage.
In a recent statement, Blue Origin highlighted the significance of this next phase, indicating that “the next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is a new super-heavy class rocket.” This announcement follows the successful second test flight of New Glenn, which successfully launched NASA’s ESCAPADE mission towards Mars. While Blue Origin has not disclosed specific launch dates for the new variant, it has outlined a busy schedule for 2026 and 2027.
Expansion Plans and Performance Capabilities
The New Glenn rocket initially debuted in January 2023 after experiencing multiple delays. The inaugural flight faced challenges, particularly in recovering the booster during its descent, leading to an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA subsequently recommended seven corrective measures, which were implemented before the second mission’s successful launch.
The revamped New Glenn 9×4 is designed to lift over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, over 14 metric tons to geosynchronous orbit, and more than 20 metric tons for trans-lunar injection. While these figures are significantly less than SpaceX’s Starship capability of lifting up to 150 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, the New Glenn still represents a formidable option in the market. Additionally, the upgraded rocket will feature a larger fairing, measuring 28.5 feet (8.7 meters), to accommodate larger payloads.
Blue Origin’s strategy includes maintaining both the 7×2 and the new 9×4 variants, allowing customers greater flexibility for missions that include mega-constellations, lunar and deep space exploration, as well as national security operations like the Golden Dome initiative.
Visual Representation and Market Position
In a recent social media post, Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, shared an illustration showcasing the upgraded New Glenn next to the iconic Saturn V rocket, underscoring the ambitious scale of the new design. The New Glenn 9×4 appears significantly taller and more powerful compared to its predecessor.
The success of the latest test flight marks a crucial milestone for Blue Origin as it positions itself within the competitive landscape of orbital launches. With the introduction of the super-heavy variant, the company aims to establish a stronger foothold in the increasingly crowded space exploration sector, directly challenging the dominance of SpaceX on a larger scale.
