New Glenn: how to watch Blue Origin’s next big rocket launch

Blue Origin is preparing to launch its 320-foot-tall New Glenn rocket into space for the first time on Sunday, a launch that comes after almost a decade of development. The New Glenn rocket is designed to shuttle cargo, satellites, and people into space, with its first stage powered by seven BE-4 engines that can be reused for at least 25 missions. The rocket's upper stage is disposable and carries the payload, capable of sending 13 metric tons to geostationary transfer orbit and 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit. New Glenn has a similar carrying capacity to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket but stands out with a larger cargo bay. A successful launch could heat up the rivalry between Blue Origin and SpaceX as they vie for lucrative government contracts. New Glenn is also key to Amazon's Project Kuiper satellite internet initiative, which will eventually launch satellites aboard the rocket, rivaling SpaceX's Starlink. The launch is set to take off from Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a three-hour launch window opening on January 12th at 1AM ET. During the uncrewed launch, New Glenn will have the Blue Ring Pathfinder on board, a payload that will test the company's Blue Ring spacecraft. The goal is for New Glenn to reach orbit, with landing its reusable booster considered a bonus. Blue Origin will likely stream the launch live from its website and YouTube channel.