After the success of New Glenn’s Sector Test Flight, the blue origin announced a high-powered variant of its rocket that could compete with the Spacex star.
Jeff Bezos’ Rocket company unveiled a new design for its rocket, named the new Glenn 9 × 4 with a number of engines boasting a booster and upper stage. That’s an increase of two engines per stage from the current Glenn design, which features seven engines in the booster and two in the top stage.
“The next chapter in New Glenn’s RoadMap is a new advanced rocket,” Blue Origin wrote in a statement. The company recently launched the new Glenn for its second mission, sending NASA’s Escapade Mission on its way to Mars. Although the blue origin did not explain when it will begin to present the big variant of the new Glenn, the rocket has a full schedule for 2026 and 2027.
In the big things
Blue Origin released its new Glenn rocket in January after years of delays. The launch rocket flight went wrong, and the company failed to regain power during its launch. An investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration laid out seven corrective measures for the rocket to fly again, and its second mission was very successful for the company.
Now, the blue origin is focused on the big movement. Equipped with nine engines on the booster and four on the upper stage, the addition will allow the new Glenn to lift low metric tons, more than 14 metric tons for trans-lunar injection. At that time when the capacity of the starship to carry metric tons is up to 150 on the edge of the low earth, but it is a powerful vehicle for launching vehicles.
The new improved glenn will also include a large 28.5-foot (8.7-metre) draw to allow for greater payouts. “Both of these vehicles: 9 × 4 and our current variation, which is 7 × 2, will serve the markets accordingly, offering customers more options for their activities, including the stars, and deep terrain restrictions such as the Golden Dome.
Because you asked… pic.twitter.com/hrbqjrphwc
– Dave Limp (@davill) November 20, 2025
Dave Limp, the CEO of blue, sent a picture of the new Glenn Stand matured next to the Saturn v Rocket that was used to launch astronauts to the moon as part of NASA’s Apollo program. New Glenn 9×4 and it looks much bigger than before.
The success of Glenn’s second flight proved the rocket’s suitability for the orbital launch game. With a more powerful variant of its new Glenn Rocket, the blue origin will be able to compete with Spacex on a larger scale.
