Blue Origin prepares to launch New Glenn rocket, challenging SpaceX's Falcon 9

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set to launch for the first time on January 8, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This marks a significant step after years of development, including a successful hot-fire test on December 27. New Glenn is taller and has a larger payload capacity than SpaceX's Falcon 9, capable of carrying 45 tons compared to Falcon 9's 23 tons. Both rockets aim for reusability, but Falcon 9 has a proven track record with 132 launches in 2024 and a 99 percent success rate. If successful, New Glenn will support missions like Amazon's Project Kuiper and could challenge SpaceX's dominance in the commercial launch market. The competition is expected to drive innovation in reusable rocket technology.