Wed Sep 25 04:03:00 UTC 2024: ## Blue Origin’s New Glenn Takes a Major Step Towards Maiden Flight with Second Stage Hot-Fire Test
**Cape Canaveral, FL** – Blue Origin successfully conducted the first hot-fire static test of its fully integrated New Glenn orbital rocket second stage on September 23, 2024. The 15-second test at Launch Complex 36 marks a crucial step towards the maiden flight of the NG-1 mission scheduled for November.
The hot-fire exercise aimed to validate the interaction of the second stage’s subsystems, including the two BE-3U engines, ground control systems, and the helium pressurizing system for the liquid hydrogen and oxygen tanks. The test also confirmed the proper functioning of the thrust vector system and the start-up and shutdown sequences. This is particularly significant as the BE-3U engines are designed to restart up to three times during a flight.
The 77-foot-tall second stage, with a diameter of 23 feet, will sit atop the New Glenn launch vehicle. Each BE-3U engine generates a vacuum thrust of 173,000 lb, exceeding the initial design target of 160,000 lb. This exceptional performance places the BE-3U engines at the top of the list for flown thrust-to-weight ratio hydrogen engines, according to Blue Origin.
The upcoming NG-1 mission will carry the US Space Force’s Blue Ring space platform into orbit. This platform, once operational, will be capable of refueling, transporting, and hosting satellites, further expanding the capabilities of the space domain.
This successful hot-fire test demonstrates the significant progress Blue Origin has made towards the maiden flight of its New Glenn rocket. The upcoming mission is expected to usher in a new era of space exploration and utilization.
First Piper 