On a long-dormant pad in Florida, a rocket that could challenge SpaceX's dominance is poised to launch

[mahatmakanejeeves]

Hat tip, someone elsewhere

Science / Space
On a long-dormant pad in Florida, a rocket that could challenge SpaceX’s dominance is poised to launch

By Jackie Wattles, CNN
Updated: 10:07 AM EST, Sat January 11, 2025

Source: CNN

On a Florida launchpad that has been dormant for almost two decades, a new, roughly 320-foot (98-meter) rocket — developed by Jeff Bezos’ company Blue Origin — is poised for its maiden flight.

The uncrewed launch vehicle, called New Glenn, will mark Blue Origin’s first attempt to send a rocket to orbit, a feat necessary if the company hopes to chip away at SpaceX’s long-held dominance in the industry.

New Glenn is set to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as early as Sunday during a three-hour launch window that opens at 1 a.m. ET. A livestream of the mission is slated to kick off about an hour before liftoff on YouTube and Blue Origin’s website, the company said via email.

The rocket, which stands about as tall as a 30-story building, consists of several parts: The first-stage rocket booster gives the initial thrust at liftoff. Atop the booster is an upper rocket stage that includes a cargo bay protected by a nose cone that will house experimental technology for this mission.

{snip}

[House of Roberts]

1. Well, it didn't launch this AM,

but they are saying the next attempt to launch will be early Monday in the same time window starting at 1AM.

[Joinfortmill]

2. These boys with their toys have taken all the awe

out of a once spectacular space program that was the pride of our country. I don't know whether to laugh or cry.