Blue Origin’s newest rocket is one step closer to taking flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) granted Blue Origin a license on Friday, Dec. 27, to launch the New Glenn rocket in its maiden voyage.
The FAA license approval came just hours before Blue Origin completed the New Glenn rocket system’s first fully integrated fire test.
Owner Jeff Bezos posted on X in response to the FAA license.
Next stop launch pic.twitter.com/GQFz4XxEt5
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) December 28, 2024
“Next stop launch,” Bezos said in a post on X that also featured a video of a rocket test.
New Glenn is reportedly set to lift off on Sunday, Jan. 5, 2025.
The first mission is expected to be launching technology related to its Blue Ring program, which is a business venture that reportedly offers spacecraft to the Pentagon.
New Glenn is also expected to conduct a mission for NASA and Amazon’s Project Kuiper.
Project Kuiper involves deploying more than 3,200 low-orbit satellites over roughly a decade to provide global broadband access. Blue Origin is also working on certifying New Glenn with the U.S. Space Force for the National Security Space Launch program.
