Blue Origin New Glenn
New Glenn is the name of Blue Origin's new heavy-lift launch vehicles. In development since 2013, the initial variant is designated New Glenn 7x2, signifying the number of first- and second-stage engines. The first stage is powered by seven BE-4 liquid-fueled engines, and is designed to be fully reusable. For aerodynamic lift and control during the descent, the stage is equipped with four movable fins, and two long narrow strakes. It lands on a barge at sea on six extendable landing legs. The upper stage consists of two BE-3U liquid-fueled engines. Originally, an optional third stage with a single BE-3U was also envisioned, but this was apparently cancelled.
| Stage | Length | Diameter | Engine(s) | Fuel | Thrust |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 57.5 m | 7.0 m | 7 Blue Origin BE-4 | LOX/methane | 2848 kN each |
| 2 | 23.4 m | 7.0 m | 2 Blue Origin BE-3U | LOX/LH2 | 716 kN each |
Specifications for New Glenn 7x2 stages
By the time of this writing, two New Glenn 7x2 launches have occured, the first one on 16 January 2025. The second flight on 13 November 2025 was the first one to successfully recover the first stage.
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| Photo: Blue Origin |
| New Glenn 7x2 |
Blue Origin has also started the development of a super-heavy derivative, called Blue Glenn 9x4, with 9 first-stage and 4 second-stage engines.
Specifications
Note: Data given by several sources show slight variations. Figures given below may therefore be inaccurate!
Data for New Glenn 7x2:
| Length | 98.2 m (322 ft) |
| Diameter | 7.0 m (23 ft) |
| Weight | max at lift-off: ? |
| Payload to LEO | 45000 kg (99000 lb) |
| Payload to GTO | 13000 kg (29000 lb) |
| Propulsion |
1st stage: 7 BE-4 liquid-fueled rockets; 19935 kN (4480000 lb) 2nd stage: 2 BE-3U liquid-fueled rockets; 1780 kN (800000 lb) |
Main Sources
[1] Blue Origin Website: New Glenn
[2] Gunter Krebs, Gunter's Space Page: New Glenn
Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 3
Last Updated: 23 February 2026