Blue Origin hot fires New Glenn rocket for first time and scores FAA license for test launch

A large white rocket fires its seven engines on the launch pad as a test.

Blue Origin fired up its new heavy-lift orbital rocket for the first time just hours after receiving federal clearance to conduct its maiden launch.

Standing atop Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the company’s New Glenn rocket conducted a successful 24-second seven-engine hotfire on Friday night (Dec. 27). It was the first time that the entire launch vehicle operated as a integrated system.