GS2 is HOT TO GO!

Blue Origin’s Glenn Stage 2 (GS2) has successfully lit up its dual BE-3U engines for the first time at Launch Complex 36!

After weeks of anticipation, Blue Origin has finally static fired the second stage of its humongous New Glenn rocket. The two expander bleed cycle BE-3U engines lit for a total of 15 seconds before successfully shutting down. This test also demonstrated many other aspects of GS2, including the Helium pressurization system, thrust vector control, launch operations, and much more.

The BE-3U uses LH2 (liquid hydrogen) and LOX (liquid oxygen), a portion of the LH2 is pumped through the walls of the combustion chamber and the nozzle, the hydrogen gains kinetic energy from the heat it absorbs from the combustion of the rest of the LH2 and LOX in the chamber, and this kinetic energy is used to power the turbines to pump the LH2 and LOX into the combustion chamber. Unlike closed expander cycles, the BE-3U dumps the hydrogen used to power the turbopumps overboard. Another fascinating characteristic of the BE-3U is its in-line, counter-rotating turbines for the LOX and LH2 pumps, which are highly efficient for squeezing every extra second of ISP out of the engine. Each BE-3U produces a maximum of 173,000 lbf.

This key milestone comes just weeks after NASA delayed the launch of ESCAPADE to Spring 2025 over concerns regarding the cost associated with removing the hypergolic fuel from the two spacecraft should the launch be delayed, in a statement on Twitter, Blue said they stand with NASA’s decision, adding that they are now targeting November for New Glenns’ inaugural launch, which will instead carry “Blue Ring technology” related to their Blue Ring satellite platform. The next step on Blue Origin’s road to orbit will be static-firing the BE-4 engines on the NG-1 flight booster named, “So You're Telling Me There's a Chance.”

Blue Origin is just getting started.