The New Glenn is set for a delayed liftoff from pad 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with a launch window opening at 1 a.m. EST. Space station astronauts Nick Hague and Starliner pilot Sunita Williams are planning a spacewalk starting at 8 a.m. to conduct maintenance tasks. Following this, the Super Heavy-Starship launch from SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas, facility is scheduled for 5 p.m. EST, if weather conditions allow.
Boasting 16 million pounds of thrust at liftoff, the Super Heavy-Starship is the most powerful rocket ever built, utilizing 33 methane-fueled Raptor engines. In comparison, the New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin is less powerful but will rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets. Both rockets feature reusable first stages, with Blue Origin aiming to recover the New Glenn booster on an offshore landing ship.
The Starship will continue into orbit after the New Glenn booster separates, while the Super Heavy first stage will attempt recovery at the launch site for future use. SpaceX has plans to catch the Super Heavy first stage, using mechanical arms known as chopsticks, for reuse. Aiming for the reuse of the entire system, SpaceX is focused on flying more challenging missions with the updated Starship.
This week’s launch schedule includes the New Glenn liftoff followed by a spacewalk by ISS astronauts and the Super Heavy-Starship launch. SpaceX is optimistic about recovering Super Heavy boosters and aims to improve performance with a new generation Starship. The company is focused on progress towards sending humans into space on increasingly ambitious missions.
“D Cargo to Earth Orbit, the Moon, and Mars.”
“Close Call Between Passenger Jets Over Phoenix Airport”
“Warren Releases Intense Questions for Hegseth Confirmation Hearing”
“Larger, More Venomous Version of One of World’s Deadliest Spiders Discovered”
