Home / Science / Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Aces Test Flight, Sends NASA Probe to Mars
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Aces Test Flight, Sends NASA Probe to Mars
17 Nov
Summary
- New Glenn rocket sticks landing, deploys NASA's ESCAPADE probes to Mars
- Rocket set for busy 2026-2027 manifest, including lunar landers and satellite launches
- New Glenn on track for National Security Space Launch certification
On November 17, 2025, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket achieved a significant milestone, successfully completing a test flight and deploying NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars. The rocket's ascent, stage separation, and fairing jettison were all flawless, and the booster completed a successful re-entry and landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean—a first for Blue Origin.
The successful launch marks the beginning of a new era for Jeff Bezos' megarocket, establishing it as a strong contender in the heavy-lift launch market. New Glenn's 2026-2027 launch manifest will be the true test, as the company prepares to deliver cargo and crew landers to the lunar surface, launch new hardware to deploy and maneuver satellites, and expand the Amazon Leo constellation.
In the near future, New Glenn could also begin launching national security payloads. The Space Force is currently in the final stages of a review process to grant the rocket a National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification, which would allow it to carry out about seven missions starting in fiscal year 2026.
