Blue Origin has announced plans to develop a larger version of its New Glenn rocket, named New Glenn 9×4, in an effort to enhance its competitiveness against SpaceX’s Starship. This new variant will feature nine engines on the booster and four on the upper stage, an increase of two engines per stage compared to its predecessor, which has seven engines on the booster and two on the upper stage. This announcement follows the successful second test flight of the New Glenn rocket, which launched NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars.
In an official statement, Blue Origin described the new design as a significant step forward: “The next chapter in New Glenn’s roadmap is a new super-heavy class rocket.” While the company has yet to disclose specific launch dates for the New Glenn 9×4, the rocket is slated to be part of a busy launch schedule in 2026 and 2027.
Rocket Development and Performance Enhancements
The New Glenn rocket made its debut in January after experiencing multiple delays. Its first flight faced challenges, including a failure to recover the booster during its descent. Following an investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration, which recommended seven corrective measures, the second flight proved to be a success, validating the rocket’s capabilities.
The upgraded New Glenn 9×4 is designed to offer substantial payload capacity. With its enhanced thrust, the rocket can carry 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. While this capacity falls short of SpaceX’s Starship, which can transport up to 150 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, the New Glenn remains a formidable launch vehicle in its own right.
Another notable feature of the New Glenn 9×4 is its larger 28.5-foot (8.7-meter) fairing, which will accommodate bigger payloads. Blue Origin emphasized that both the 9×4 and the current 7×2 variants will be available concurrently, providing customers with more diverse launch options for various missions, including mega-constellations and deep space exploration.
Visual Comparisons and Future Aspirations
Dave Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, shared an illustration showcasing the New Glenn 9×4 standing tall alongside the iconic Saturn V rocket, which was instrumental in NASA’s Apollo program. The visual representation highlights the significant size increase of the new rocket compared to its predecessor, emphasizing Blue Origin’s commitment to advancing its space capabilities.
The success of the New Glenn’s second flight has solidified its position in the competitive orbital launch market. With the introduction of the super-heavy New Glenn 9×4 variant, Blue Origin aims to establish itself as a serious contender against SpaceX, positioning itself for future growth and exploration in the aerospace industry.
