New Glenn reaches orbit on its maiden flight; first stage lost before landing

Blue Origin/New Glenn

New Glenn launched on January 16, 2025, from Cape Canaveral and achieved its primary goal: the upper stage reached intended orbit after two Centaur burns and deployed the Blue Ring Pathfinder prototype satellite. The first-stage booster was lost during descent, so the landing attempt failed, but the company stressed the orbital achievement was the more important milestone.

• Launch: January 16, 2025, from Cape Canaveral LC-36 (same pad used by NASA Mariner and Pioneer).
• Rocket: 320 feet (98 meters) tall; seven main engines fired at liftoff.
• Upper stage reached intended orbit; two Centaur engine burns successful.
• Payload: Blue Ring Pathfinder experimental platform (prototype to host/release satellites).
• First-stage booster lost during descent; landing on barge failed, but orbital success was primary goal.