The aerospace company Blue Origin, set up by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, have today announced the completion of the acceptance testing stage for their new rocket engine, BE-3. The 110,000-lbf engine is initially planned to be the main engine for the suborbital launch system Blue Origin have named New Shepard. It will eventually be modified for use as an upper stage engine for other rockets.
A key similarity between Blue Origin and SpaceX is the goal of reusability and cost. The New Shepard launch vehicle will feature a reusable first stage, with the BE-3 engine providing the thrust in not only the ascent of the rocket, but also the descent prior to landing. This will drive prices down and increase the access to space.
“Liquid hydrogen is challenging, deep throttling is challenging and reusability is challenging," said Bezos. “This engine has all three. The rewards are highest performance, vertical landing even with a single-engine vehicle and low cost. And, as a future upper stage engine, hydrogen greatly increases payload capabilities.”
Also in development at Blue Origin is the BE-4 rocket engine. The engine, which has been under development since 2012, uses liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas to produce 550000-lbf thrust at sea level. The engine will be used as the primary engine on ULA’s Next Generation Launch System, which will be revealed on the 13th April.
A key similarity between Blue Origin and SpaceX is the goal of reusability and cost. The New Shepard launch vehicle will feature a reusable first stage, with the BE-3 engine providing the thrust in not only the ascent of the rocket, but also the descent prior to landing. This will drive prices down and increase the access to space.
“Liquid hydrogen is challenging, deep throttling is challenging and reusability is challenging," said Bezos. “This engine has all three. The rewards are highest performance, vertical landing even with a single-engine vehicle and low cost. And, as a future upper stage engine, hydrogen greatly increases payload capabilities.”
Also in development at Blue Origin is the BE-4 rocket engine. The engine, which has been under development since 2012, uses liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas to produce 550000-lbf thrust at sea level. The engine will be used as the primary engine on ULA’s Next Generation Launch System, which will be revealed on the 13th April.