New Glenn's Second Stage Completes Successful Hotfire Test with Blue Ring Technology Payload
Key Ideas
  • New Glenn's second stage, GS2, successfully completed a 15-second hotfire test at Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, marking a milestone towards its first flight in November.
  • The test aimed to validate interactions between the subsystems, BE-3U engines, and ground control systems while demonstrating key systems like tank pressurization, thrust vector control, and engine start-up sequences.
  • The BE-3U engines on the second stage have shown high performance during testing, achieving a thrust of 173,000 lbf, making them one of the highest thrust-to-weight ratio hydrogen engines in use.
  • Alongside the BE-4 engines on the first stage, Blue Origin's engine lineup includes BE-7 for lunar landers and BE-3PM for New Shepard, showcasing a range of engine capabilities for different missions.
New Glenn's second stage, GS2, achieved a significant milestone by successfully completing a risk reduction hotfire test at Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, FL. The test, lasting 15 seconds, validated the integrated operations of the vehicle, its BE-3U engines, and ground control systems. Important systems like tank pressurization, thrust vector control, and engine start-up sequences were demonstrated during the test. The BE-3U engines showcased exceptional performance, achieving a thrust of 173,000 lbf, surpassing their initial design specifications. This success positions these engines as some of the most powerful hydrogen engines ever used, with an impressive thrust-to-weight ratio. New Glenn's design allows it to undertake demanding missions to various Earth orbits efficiently. Complementing the second stage's capabilities, the first stage features the BE-4 engines, known for their power as the most potent liquefied natural gas (LNG)-fueled engines flown. Blue Origin's engine portfolio extends to include the BE-7 engines for lunar landers and the BE-3PM for the New Shepard vehicle, highlighting a diverse range of engines catering to different space missions.
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