Blue Origin has announced an upgraded version of its New Glenn rocket, introducing a super-heavy variant aimed at competing with SpaceX’s Starship. The new model, designated New Glenn 9×4, features an increased engine count, boasting nine engines on the booster and four on the upper stage. This marks an enhancement from the current configuration, which has seven engines on the booster and two on the upper stage.
The announcement follows the success of New Glenn’s second test flight, which involved launching NASA’s ESCAPADE mission toward Mars. Blue Origin confirmed that the next phase for New Glenn includes this upgraded version, although specific launch dates for the 9×4 variant have not been disclosed. The company has outlined an ambitious launch schedule for 2026 and 2027.
Boosting Payload Capacity
The enhanced design of New Glenn will allow it to carry over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit and more than 14 metric tons directly to geosynchronous orbit. Additionally, the rocket can transport over 20 metric tons for trans-lunar injection. While these figures fall short of the Starship’s capacity to lift up to 150 metric tons to low Earth orbit, the New Glenn 9×4 is still positioned as a powerful launch vehicle.
The rocket will also feature a larger fairing, measuring 28.5 feet (8.7 meters) in diameter, which will facilitate the transport of bigger payloads. Blue Origin emphasized that both the 9×4 and the current variant, known as 7×2, will coexist in the market, providing customers with various options for missions ranging from mega-constellations to lunar exploration and national security.
Strategic Growth Amid Competition
Blue Origin’s focus on expanding its capabilities comes after a challenging start for the New Glenn rocket program. The inaugural flight in January faced setbacks, including the unsuccessful recovery of the booster during descent. Following an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, which identified seven corrective measures, the company successfully completed its second mission.
Dave Limp, the CEO of Blue Origin, shared an illustration showcasing the upgraded New Glenn alongside the iconic Saturn V rocket, used during NASA’s Apollo program. This visual highlights the significant size difference between the current and future iterations of the rocket, reflecting Blue Origin’s strategic ambition to establish a stronger foothold in the space launch sector.
With the successful second flight of New Glenn, Blue Origin is positioning itself to compete with SpaceX on a larger scale. The introduction of the New Glenn 9×4 represents a pivotal step in the company’s roadmap, underlining its commitment to advancing space exploration capabilities.
