Launch of the New Glenn rocket: a new competitor to SpaceX 🚀

The New Glenn rocket, designed by billionaire Jeff Bezos' company Blue Origin, will take off for the first time this Friday, January 10, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. This launch could redefine the balance of power against SpaceX, the undisputed leader in the sector.


Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is finally entering the orbital launch race with its New Glenn rocket. Standing at 321 feet (98 meters) tall, this reusable rocket aims to compete with SpaceX's Falcon 9 while offering greater payload capabilities. This first flight, scheduled from Cape Canaveral, is a decisive test for the company.

A new chapter for Blue Origin

After years of development, Blue Origin is stepping into the space arena with New Glenn. This rocket, designed to carry satellites and meet government needs, represents a giant leap for the company. Its reusable first stage aims to reduce costs and establish a viable economic model.

The success of this launch could position Blue Origin as a serious competitor to SpaceX. However, the company still needs to prove its ability to rival SpaceX's reliability and dominance, as SpaceX accounted for more than half of global launches in 2024.

A different vision of space

Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk have distinct space ambitions. While Elon Musk dreams of colonizing Mars with Starship, Jeff Bezos is betting on floating space colonies in the solar system. New Glenn could be the first step in this vision, paving the way for more ambitious missions and the exploitation of space resources.

This strategic divergence illustrates two complementary approaches to space exploration. While SpaceX focuses on boldness and distant exploration, Blue Origin favors gradual and sustainable expansion, with an emphasis on reusability and economic efficiency.

A major technical challenge

The first flight of New Glenn includes a complex maneuver: landing the first stage on a sea barge. This step, crucial for reusability, has been mastered by SpaceX over time. Blue Origin acknowledges the ambitious nature of this attempt but sees it as a learning opportunity, regardless of the outcome.


The company is also carrying a payload, the Blue Ring demonstrator, designed to test orbital deployment and maintenance systems. This inaugural flight is therefore both a technical test and a demonstration of Blue Origin's future ambitions.

A beneficial competition for space exploration

The rivalry between Blue Origin and SpaceX could benefit the entire space sector. By increasing launch options, these companies offer NASA and other agencies greater flexibility for their missions. This competition also drives innovation, pushing each player to push technological boundaries.

With New Glenn, Blue Origin hopes to establish itself as a key player in the commercial space market. Although SpaceX maintains a significant lead, this launch marks the beginning of a new era in private space exploration.