Blue Origin New Glenn completes first ever static fire test

Blue Origin has completed the first-ever static fire test for the New Glenn heavy rocket from Florida, this is the final milestone for this launch vehicle as it prepares for its first flight.

Static fire test verifies the engine ignition and health in a launch-like environment but without leaving the ground. During this process, the test teams only fire the engines for a few seconds and then cool them down.

It helps to find issues in propellant tanks, engines, and ground support before the rocket goes on a real mission. This test comes after the FAA has published a launch license for this heavy vehicle.

Visuals of the event show the few-second engine burn at its full capacity. The rocket has two stages, the first consists of seven BE-4 engines, each generating 550,000 lbf of thrust at sea level.

We have ignition! @blueorigin‘s New Glenn fires its 7 BE4 engines for the first time tonight conducting it’s static fire test! pic.twitter.com/yuA4xb15B4

— Jerry Pike (@JerryPikePhoto) December 28, 2024

These engines will uplift the rocket and take it to its destination After hot-staging, the first stage will return to earth for an autonomous landing on a droneship stationed in the sea.

The rocket maker has been preparing for this flight through 2024 and recently assembled both stages while preparing for a launch license.

New Glenn Launch Date

Based on current reports, Blue Origin could attempt a New Glenn launch on January 6 at the earliest. After this static fire, Blue Origin will conduct a data review on engine health and ground support and decide the nearest launch date for New Glenn. So, we’ll have to wait for an official announcement on this matter.