Blue Origin set for first launch of giant New Glenn rocket

With the mission dubbed NG-1, Bezos, the world's second-richest man, is taking direct aim at the world's wealthiest: Elon Musk, whose company SpaceX dominates the orbital launch market through its Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy rockets.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket sits on the launch pad one day before its maiden flight (NG-1) at the Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on January 11, 2025. (Photo by Gregg NEWTON / AFP)