A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is prepared for launch at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, US. (Photo: Reuters)

Bezos's Blue Origin delays New Glenn launch to 2027, unveils new rocket engine

New Glenn is getting a new third stage and a lighter, more powerful engine. The upgrades come as Blue Origin prepares for a launch that has been delayed to 2027.

by · India Today

In Short

  • Blue Origin delays New Glenn rocket launch to January 2027
  • New third stage GS3 enables missions to geostationary orbit and Moon
  • Northstar engine offers more thrust, is lighter and simpler than BE-4

Jeff Bezos' space company Blue Origin is expanding the capabilities of its powerful New Glenn rocket even as it struggles to get the vehicle back into space following a major launchpad accident earlier this year.

Blue Origin has pushed New Glenn's next launch to January 2027, moving away from its earlier target of returning to flight before the end of this year, news agency Reuters reported.

The delay follows an explosion during an engine test at Cape Canaveral in Florida earlier this year, which damaged the rocket's launch infrastructure.

An artist's concept of GS3 third stage for Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket in space. (Photo: Blue Origin)

On the brighter side, the company unveiled two major developments for the rocket, including a new third stage called GS3 and a more powerful first-stage engine named Northstar.

In an internal note to employees, Blue Origin chief executive Dave Limp acknowledged the difficulties of rebuilding the launch facility, pointing to severe weather and recent flooding as additional challenges.

The company is now working towards getting the launch infrastructure ready for the January flight.

The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket stands ready for launch. (Photo: AP)

NEW STAGE TO TAKE THE ROCKET BEYOND ORBIT

The GS3 is designed to give New Glenn the ability to undertake more demanding missions, including sending heavy satellites directly into geostationary orbit and carrying spacecraft towards the Moon and deep space.

In simple terms, a third stage gives a rocket an additional push after its existing two stages have completed their work.

This allows it to carry payloads further or place them into more challenging orbits.

Powered by Blue Origin's BE-7 engine, the new stage can carry up to 20 tonnes towards the Moon when paired with the company's larger New Glenn configuration.

Blue Origin has also secured a government customer for a GS3 mission scheduled for 2028.

Illustration of the variants of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket, with the new GS3 third stage now in the mix. (Photo: Blue Origin)

A PROMISE OF MORE POWER

The company also introduced Northstar, a new engine designed for New Glenn's first stage.

The new engine produces around 3,180 kilonewtons of thrust, compared with approximately 2,850 kilonewtons from the existing BE-4 engine.

Northstar is also 30 per cent lighter and has 50 per cent fewer parts than BE-4, according to Blue Origin.

The company said that improved manufacturing methods could allow it to assemble an engine in less than a day.

New Glenn has flown three times since its January 2025 debut.

However, its next mission will now have to wait until Blue Origin completes repairs to its Florida launch facility.

- Ends