Blue Origin, the aerospace company owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, achieved a historic milestone on Thursday morning as its New Glenn rocket successfully reached orbit during its maiden launch.
The launch took place at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, with the early morning timing chosen to minimize aviation interference. Powered by seven engines, New Glenn began its journey with a slow ascent, eventually accelerating in an arc over the Atlantic Ocean. Thirteen minutes later, the rocket’s second stage reached orbit, marking a major success for the company.
“This is a momentous occasion for Blue Origin,” a company spokesperson said. “It represents years of hard work and dedication to advancing space exploration.”
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The achievement was also acknowledged by Elon Musk, the founder of rival space company SpaceX, who congratulated Bezos on the milestone. “Congratulations on reaching orbit on the first attempt,” Musk said.
Although Blue Origin was established two years before SpaceX, it has lagged behind in terms of accomplishments. SpaceX has already achieved significant milestones, including reusable rockets and crewed missions. Despite the gap, Thursday’s successful launch is being celebrated as a step in the right direction for Bezos’ company.
Industry experts have described the successful orbit as a potential boost for Blue Origin’s reputation and a signal of increased competition in the private space sector. The company has been working to catch up to SpaceX’s advancements and establish itself as a key player in space exploration and commercial missions.