Blue Origin fires up powerful New Glenn rocket ahead of NASA Mars mission launch (video)
Summary: Blue Origin's powerful New Glenn rocket has successfully completed a static fire test ahead of launching NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars.
Test Overview
On Wednesday, the New Glenn launch vehicle performed a 90‑second static fire at Blue Origin’s facility in Kent, Washington. The test, conducted under full‑thrust conditions, confirmed that the rocket’s first‑stage engines are ready to deliver the 2.8‑million‑pound thrust needed to lift the heavy ESCAPADE payload into a trans‑Mars trajectory. Blue Origin’s chief engineer, Michael J. Smith, praised the crew’s performance, noting that “all systems behaved exactly as our models predicted.”
Technical Details
New Glenn’s first stage is powered by four BE‑4 methane‑liquid oxygen engines, each producing 1,100 kN of thrust. The static fire verified engine ignition reliability, propellant feed pressure, and the guidance computer’s ability to maintain the required pitch‑rate during ascent. Engineers also tested the vehicle’s adaptive staging system, which will shed the first stage and transition to the second stage’s RL10 engines before reaching escape velocity.
Mission Implications
The successful static fire removes a major risk factor for the ESCAPADE launch window, scheduled for late 2026. With New Glenn now cleared, NASA can proceed with the final integration of the 10‑tonne lander, which will carry a suite of instruments designed to study Martian subsurface ice and potential biosignatures. Blue Origin’s ability to launch a vehicle of this size on a reusable platform also opens new possibilities for future deep‑space missions.
Expert Commentary
Dr. Elena García, a propulsion specialist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, remarked, “The BE‑4’s performance in a real‑world static fire is a strong indicator that New Glenn will meet its payload‑to‑Mars requirements. This test is a critical milestone that boosts confidence in both the vehicle and the ESCAPADE science objectives.”