A Closer Look At New Glenn & What To Expect
Throughout the space industry, we are watching different companies use a variety of unique methods to try and improve access to space. This process often revolves around lowering cost and improving launch cadence. Both of which are a direct result of partial and full reusability if done successfully. Some examples include SpaceX with Starship, Rocket Lab with Electron’s booster and Neutron, and also New Glenn.
For years now Blue Origin has been working to develop New Glenn and its various vital components to create a rocket of the future. While there no doubt have been some hiccups along the way, they are determined to get this rocket up and running. In terms of recent updates, we have received some more information on the BE-4 engine which is critical to New Glenn’s future.
Other than this, Blue Origin has kept to themselves for the most part, leaving us to try and figure out when we should expect significant tests, a first launch, and more. This being said, with such an ambitious design and goal, the company has a lot to do prior to a maiden flight. Here I will go more in-depth into the design and mission profile of New Glenn, any recent progress that’s been made, what to expect going forward, and more.
New Glenn & BE-4
Unfortunately, New Glenn has been delayed quite a bit over the past few years. This has been for various reasons however one of the biggest factors that impacts the current and future progress of this rocket, has to do with BE-4. New Glenn will utilize 7 BE-4 engines on the first stage, expected to produce around 3.85 million pounds of thrust at sea level. This being said, there are a few roadblocks and priorities the company needs to complete before moving on to New Glenn. One example is United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Specifically, Vulcan is very close to being ready and is expected to launch later this year in December. While it’s very possible this launch gets pushed back to early next year, it still is right around the corner. Vulcan utilizes two BE-4 engines on the first stage for the majority of its power. ULA gets priority for the engines and the Vulcan rocket will see them much sooner than New Glenn. This is part of the reason why updates on the BE-4 engine are so relevant to New Glenn’s progress, and the future of the launch vehicle. It’s not so much that the rocket uses this engine, but the fact that BE-4 has been a slightly limiting factor in terms of readiness.
This being said, Tory Bruno has been proving updates on the engines as they continue to prepare them for Vulcan. Most recently, late last August, he tweeted saying, “Ok, then. I spy a BE4 Flight Engine #2 on the test stand…” This included an image of a BE-4 engine prior to static fire testing on Blue Origin’s test stand. In the replies to the tweet, he also said that more information regarding the test would be released soon. As Blue Origin continues to work on the production and testing of BE-4, they get closer to some of the first New Glenn milestones revolving around launch vehicle tests and more.
Taking a closer look at this engine, BE-4 is a liquefied natural gas (LNG) fueled rocket engine. Using an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle, BE-4 is capable of producing 550,000 lbf thrust with deep throttle capability. Blue Origin highlights that they chose LNG because it is highly efficient, low cost, and widely available. They specifically point out that unlike kerosene, LNG can be used to self-pressurize its tank. Known as autogenous repressurization, this eliminates the need for costly and complex systems that draw on Earth’s scarce helium reserves. In addition, LNG also possesses clean combustion characteristics even at low throttle, simplifying engine reuse compared to kerosene fuels. An important feature considering New Glenn’s booster is reusable. BE-4 was designed from the beginning to be a medium-performing version of a high-performance architecture. A conscious design choice made to lower development risk while meeting performance, schedule, and reusability requirements. Blue Origin finishes by saying their hardware-rich approach, multiple developmental units, and redundant test stands enable a high test tempo and rapid learning.
As of right now, the engine has made some significant progress and the company is working to provide ULA with what they need. BE-4 is currently undergoing full-scale engine development testing at facilities in Van Horn, Texas. Not to mention, full rate production will occur in Blue Origin’s new engine manufacturing facility in Huntsville, Alabama. Another big factor to consider will be the result of Vulcan’s first launch. If it goes perfectly it will be a great test and an example of BE-4 and Blue Origin can improve production for New Glenn. If something were to go wrong involving the engines, it could mean a setback not just for Vulcan, but New Glenn as well.
While here I just went in-depth into BE-4 and how it impacts New Glenn and its future, there are a host of other factors to consider as well. This includes work on additional necessary infrastructure such as the pad, factory, and more. All of which will impact the future of New Glenn, and when we should expect to see it take off for the first time. In terms of the first launch of New Glenn, hopefully, we could expect to see it happen in 1 year, realistically however, closer to 2 plus years. Before this launch, more progress is needed on BE-4, various infrastructure, and all the initial tests, static fires, etc. the rocket will go through prior. Not to mention this is a very ambitious launch vehicle that will no doubt run into some complications during testing, as almost all rockets do.
Partial & Full Reusability
Now that we have taken a closer look at the BE-4 engine and Blue Origin’s priorities regarding New Glenn, we can focus on the launch vehicle itself, and some of the features that make it stand out. The reusable component of the New Glenn launch system is its first stage, including its seven BE-4 engines. After second stage separation, the first stage booster reorients itself to reenter the atmosphere aft end first. Through a combination of aerodynamics and propulsive maneuvers, the stage performs a precision landing on the ocean-going platform in the Atlantic Ocean. After recovery at sea, the booster returns to the launch site via Port Canaveral for inspection and reuse.
A more detailed look at the mission profile gives a good example of what Blue Origin is attempting. In the final seconds before liftoff, the BE-4 engines on the first stage ignite in advance of an automated final go/no-go determination. The engines throttle up to partial thrust, at which point built-in test diagnostic software analyzes the performance and health of each engine. Upon verification of nominal conditions, the flight computer issues a final “commit to launch” command, which permits full engine throttle. The transporter erector tips back out of the flight cone, hold down mechanisms release, and New Glenn lifts from the launch pad, detaching all launch vehicle umbilicals. For a nominal 250 km perigee altitude GTO mission, the first stage booster initiates an engine shutdown sequence at a mission elapsed time of 199 seconds. The command induces the BE-4 main engine cut-off (MECO), and thrust tails off until second stage separation occurs at MET 202 seconds. The first stage then reorients for atmospheric reentry, landing, and recovery. The first burn for the second stage BE-3U engines starts once adequate distance between the stages is achieved, at approximately MET 206 seconds. Once passing the desired limit for aerodynamic heat flux to the payload at approximately MET 216 seconds, the payload fairing (PLF) is jettisoned and the stage continues to sustain powered flight with the un-encapsulated payload. The engines burn for 618 seconds before the second stage engine cut-off at MET 824 seconds. Finally, once the payload is deployed, the second stage maneuvers for reentry and disposal.
This brings up the question of whether or not New Glenn will be partially or fully reusable. While Blue Origin still markets New Glenn as a partially reusable launch vehicle, not long ago we saw evidence that said otherwise. Information became public in July 2021 that Blue Origin had begun a “project to develop a fully reusable upper stage for New Glenn,” under the name “Project Jarvis”. In addition, some images came out at the time that highlighted this approach. In terms of the rocket’s future, it’s possible that the company’s first launches of this vehicle are only partially reusable and as time goes on they work on full reusability with the upper stage.
Conclusion
New Glenn is a next generation launch vehicle with some very ambitious plans and goals for the future. Unfortunately, the launch vehicle has not made as much progress as hoped due to a variety of reasons. All of which impact the future of the launch vehicle, and Blue Origin’s plans. Recently we are seeing more positive news surrounding BE-4 which is a good sign. We will have to wait and see how it progresses and the impact it has on the space industry.