Blue Origin has successfully conducted a 24-second test of the seven main engines of the New Glenn rocket. The first launch of the super-heavy rocket is not expected before January 6.
The American aerospace company Blue Origin has tested and successfully launched seven main engines of its largest rocket, New Glenn, writes UNN with reference to Arstechnica.
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The test launch was the last important step in the company's campaign to prepare for the launch of the New Glenn rocket – a super-heavy rocket carrier of private development. Blue Origin reported that the rocket's engines worked for 24 seconds. Of those, the engines were at full power for 13 seconds.
“This is a huge milestone and a glimpse of what's just around the corner – the first launch of New Glenn,” Jarrett Jones, senior vice president of the New Glenn program, said in a press release. “Today's success proves that our rigorous testing approach, combined with incredible instrumentation and design developments, is working as intended.”
The completion of the dynamic test marks a historic moment for the company founded by Jeff Bezos nearly a quarter century ago.
Blue Origin's test report did not specify a launch date for New Glenn, but flight advisories suggest it will likely be no earlier than Jan. 6.