Blue Origin has announced plans to enhance its New Glenn rocket following the success of its second test flight. The company revealed a new super-heavy variant, designated New Glenn 9×4, which aims to compete more directly with SpaceX’s Starship. This upgraded version will feature nine engines on the booster and four on the upper stage, an increase of two engines for each from the current design that has seven engines on the booster and two on the upper stage.
In a statement, Blue Origin emphasized the significance of this development: “The next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is a new super-heavy class rocket.” The announcement follows the successful launch of New Glenn’s second mission, which carried NASA’s ESCAPADE mission on its journey to Mars. Although specific timelines for the new variant’s launch remain undisclosed, Blue Origin has a busy schedule set for 2026 and 2027.
Significant Upgrades to New Glenn
The New Glenn rocket, which made its debut in January, had faced challenges during its inaugural flight, including a failure to recover the booster. An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prompted the company to implement seven corrective measures. The second mission, however, marked a significant turnaround for Blue Origin, showcasing the rocket’s capabilities in the competitive orbital launch market.
The upgraded New Glenn 9×4 is designed to deliver substantial payload capacity. With its additional thrust, the rocket is expected to lift over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, more than 14 metric tons to geosynchronous orbit, and over 20 metric tons for trans-lunar injection. Although this capacity is less than the Starship’s maximum of 150 metric tons to low Earth orbit, the New Glenn remains a formidable launch vehicle.
The new design also incorporates a larger fairing measuring 28.5 feet (or 8.7 meters) in diameter, allowing for even bigger payloads. Blue Origin stated, “Both vehicles: 9×4 and our current variant, 7×2, will serve the market concurrently, giving customers more launch options for their missions, including mega-constellations, lunar and deep space exploration, and national security imperatives such as Golden Dome.”
Strategic Positioning Against SpaceX
Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, shared an illustration of the upgraded New Glenn beside the iconic Saturn V rocket, which was instrumental in NASA’s Apollo program. The visual comparison highlights the impressive scale of the New Glenn 9×4 compared to its predecessor.
The success of New Glenn’s second flight has solidified its position in the orbital launch sector. With the introduction of the super-heavy variant, Blue Origin aims to enhance its competitive edge against SpaceX, positioning itself for a more significant role in the evolving space industry. As the company looks toward the future, the anticipated launches in 2026 and 2027 will be crucial in determining its trajectory in the commercial space race.
