Farewell to Elon Musk: Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn Takes the Lead at NASA
Elon Musk is not the only visionary focused on space exploration. While Musk and SpaceX, with their Falcon rockets and the ambitious Starship, have commanded media attention for years, Jeff Bezos and his company Blue Origin have quietly worked behind the scenes.
Blue Origin has invested billions of dollars, patiently advancing its technology until the right moment to make a significant impact in orbit arrived. That moment is now, and the spotlight shifts from Starship to New Glenn.
The New Glenn Rocket and NASA’s ESCAPADE Mission
New Glenn is a 98-meter-tall rocket preparing for its second orbital flight, NG-2, which will carry NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars. If all goes as planned, the launch is scheduled for Sunday, November 9, 2025, or shortly thereafter.
Jeff Bezos’ Long-Term Space Ambition
Unlike Musk, Bezos started his space journey much earlier, founding Blue Origin in 2000. The company follows a careful and methodical development approach, with a focus on reliability and precision in rocket design.
Development of New Glenn began in 2015, named after the legendary astronaut John Glenn, and a decade later, it stands ready. The BE-4 engine, powered by liquid methane, started its development even earlier, in 2011.
"Blue Origin has been characterized by slow but methodical product development, with no room for cracks or errors in the rockets designed."
This patient, step-by-step strategy contrasts with the more headline-driven SpaceX approach, emphasizing steady progress over hype.
Summary
Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket is emerging as a major player in space exploration, challenging Elon Musk’s dominance through careful engineering and long-term vision.
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