{"id":34652,"date":"2025-11-22T13:43:42","date_gmt":"2025-11-22T13:43:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/?p=34652"},"modified":"2025-11-25T07:12:49","modified_gmt":"2025-11-25T07:12:49","slug":"blue-origin-competes-with-starship-with-its-massive-new-glenn-9x4-rocket","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metaverseplanet.net\/blog\/blue-origin-competes-with-starship-with-its-massive-new-glenn-9x4-rocket\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Origin Competes with Starship with Its Massive New Glenn 9\u00d74 Rocket"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Blue Origin<\/strong> has unveiled a super-heavy version<\/strong> of the New Glenn rocket, featuring higher carrying capacity for orbital and lunar missions<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The new model, named New Glenn 9\u00d74<\/strong>, can carry over 70 tons<\/strong> of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO)<\/strong> and utilizes an extended payload fairing<\/strong> with a diameter of 8.7 meters<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Bigger Design, More Power<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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The first stage<\/strong> of the New Glenn 9\u00d74 features nine BE-4 engines<\/strong>, while the upper stage<\/strong> houses four BE-3U engines<\/strong>. This represents a significant increase compared to the seven-plus-two engine layout<\/strong> currently in use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new configuration elevates New Glenn into the super-heavy class<\/strong>, positioning the vehicle closer to SpaceX<\/a><\/em> Starship<\/strong> and surpassing the capacity of most commercial rockets. The growth of both the booster and the second stage expands the mission range.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The New Glenn 9\u00d74 is capable of delivering over 70 tons<\/strong> to low Earth orbit<\/strong>, over 14 tons<\/strong> directly to geostationary orbit<\/strong>, and over 20 tons<\/strong> to trans-lunar injection (TLI)<\/strong>. This opens up a much wider field for commercial, scientific, and defense missions<\/strong>. For comparison, Starship<\/strong> can carry over 100 tons<\/strong> to low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additionally, the massive 8.7-meter payload fairing<\/strong> allows for the launch of more voluminous satellites and multi-mission packages. Blue Origin stated that this design was developed to support mega-constellation projects<\/strong>, Moon and deep space missions<\/strong>, and national security needs similar to “Golden Dome.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Improvements Coming to the Existing New Glenn<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Despite the prominence of the 9\u00d74 model, Blue Origin announced that performance updates<\/strong> are also being made to the existing 7\u00d72 version<\/strong>. These innovations will be implemented gradually, starting with the NG-3 flight<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The total thrust<\/strong> of the seven BE-4 engines is being increased from 3.9 million lbf<\/strong> to 4.5 million lbf<\/strong>. The company reported that the BE-4 engine<\/strong> produced 625,000 lbf<\/strong> in tests and will reach the 640,000 lbf<\/strong> level by the end of the year, exceeding 550,000 lbf<\/strong> with chilled fuel. The two BE-3U engines<\/strong> in the second stage are also gaining power, with total thrust rising from 320,000 lbf<\/strong> to 400,000 lbf<\/strong>. Blue Origin reported that the BE-3U reached 211,658 lbf<\/strong> in tests.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition to these, changes such as reusable payload fairings<\/strong>, lower-cost tank designs<\/strong>, and an improved thermal protection system<\/strong> are also coming. The goal is to reduce the preparation time between missions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Origin emphasized that the 9\u00d74<\/strong> will not replace the 7\u00d72<\/strong>, but that both models will be used simultaneously to offer customers different capacity<\/strong> and timing options<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This announcement came just a few days after New Glenn’s second flight<\/strong>, in which it successfully carried NASA<\/a><\/em>‘s ESCAPADE Mars probes<\/strong> and landed its booster back on the ship. With the new 9\u00d74 design<\/strong>, Blue Origin aims to increase its competition in the heavy payload market<\/strong> and strengthen its position in lunar logistics programs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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