Blue Origin reveals a super-heavy variant of its New Glenn rocket that is taller than a Saturn V

In a bold move following a successful second flight of its groundbreaking rocket, Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, has unveiled plans for an even larger iteration of its launch vehicle. This new super-heavy variant of the New Glenn rocket will surpass the iconic Saturn V in height, positioning itself alongside SpaceX’s Starship. This enhanced New Glenn will incorporate nine engines on its booster stage and four on the upper stage, an upgrade from the current configuration of seven and two engines, respectively. Blue Origin is now distinguishing these two versions as New Glenn 9×4 and New Glenn 7×2, with the enhanced engine power set to significantly boost thrust capabilities. The super-heavy variant is expected to transport over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, just shy of Starship’s theoretical capacity of 100 metric tons, while SpaceX is developing new models that could potentially double that capacity. The revamped design also includes a more spacious fairing, the protective cover for the rocket’s payload, allowing it to accommodate larger cargo. This increased capacity positions Blue Origin as a key player for missions involving mega-constellations, lunar exploration, deep space ventures, and national security projects like Golden Dome. Currently, Blue Origin is in competition with SpaceX for NASA’s lunar missions, and the recent rendering of the New Glenn 9×4 suggests a readiness to showcase this capability. The illustration depicts a ground-level view of the super-heavy rocket shortly after launch, with the Moon prominently featured in the sky above. The existing New Glenn 7×2 model also received updates, including heightened thrust and the introduction of reusable fairings. These enhancements aim to streamline turnaround times between launches. Although a specific launch date has not been announced, preliminary plans indicate a possible launch in early 2026. CEO Dave Limp has hinted that Blue Origin might soon attempt to launch and land its uncrewed Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar lander on the Moon.