Blue Origin Tests New Engine, Aims to Cut Manufacturing Cost to One-Quarter

At a glance

Blue Origin has set a goal of cutting the manufacturing cost of Northstar, a new first-stage engine for New Glenn, to one-quarter of the existing BE-4's cost, and has begun test firings. The first flight of its three-stage rocket GS3 is targeted for 2028.

Key points

1. 1

   Northstar uses the same methane and liquid oxygen as the existing engine. The company says its mass is reduced by 30% and its number of parts by 50%.

2. 2

   The company said that about 65% of the parts can be made using 3D printing (additive manufacturing).

3. 3

   GS3 is designed for missions that place satellites in geostationary orbit or send them to the Moon.

4. 4

   GS3's hydrogen tank is made from composite materials, and the company says it has completed testing of a tank 5.5 meters in diameter.

Why it matters

If rocket launch costs fall, satellite and lunar exploration missions could be sent more often, which could affect the space industry as a whole.