Blue Origin reaches orbit with New Glenn, fumbles first-stage recovery

Jeff Bezos joined the orbital elite with the launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket this morning.

The flight, dubbed NG-1, was beset by delays right up to the launch window opening at 0600 UTC on January 16, 2025. As it was, the T-0 time ended up being 0703 UTC, and the New Glenn rose from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station under the power of its seven BE-4 engines.

The primary goal of the mission was to reach orbit. Recovering the first stage would have been a bonus, but it was ultimately unsuccessful. Stage separation occurred approximately three minutes after lift-off, with a pair of BE-3U engines continuing the ascent of the upper stage.

An excited commentator confirmed that three of the first stage's seven BE-4 engines had relit for the descent, but telemetry from the vehicle froze shortly after, and it was later ...