Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket streaks into orbit after launching from the Kennedy Space Center on its maiden flight, at Cape Canaveral, Florida on January 16, 2025.
Gregg Newton | Afp | Getty Images
Blue Origin launched its towering New Glenn rocket for the first time on Thursday, in a crucial milestone for Jeff Bezos’ space company.
New Glenn thundered off the launchpad in the early morning hours in Florida, reaching space and ultimately making it to orbit as a part of a long-awaited debut mission. Blue Origin also attempted to land the rocket’s booster on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean, but the booster was lost during reentry through the atmosphere.
The launch is a defining moment for Blue Origin.
Although founded 25 years ago, Bezos’ company had yet to begin flying to orbit — with its much smaller New Shepard rocket only flying people and research on short jaunts to the edge of space. New Glenn’s flight marks Blue Origin’s entrance…
