Blue Origin has made significant strides in its preparations for the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket. On October 30, 2024, the company successfully transported the massive first stage booster to Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a crucial milestone in its launch campaign.

The first stage, an impressive 188 feet in length and equipped with seven BE-4 engines, was moved from Blue Origin’s factory located in Merritt Island, adjacent to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Images shared by CEO Dave Limp on social media showcased the booster, which was carefully wrapped in protective coverings adorned with the company’s logo during its journey to the launch site at Canaveral’s Space Launch Complex 36.

Blue Origin is targeting a launch window in November, although a specific date has yet to be confirmed. However, recent discussions among Port Canaveral officials hinted at a potential target date of November 30. The journey of the booster, which spanned 23 miles, was described by Limp as a “multiple-hour journey to our pad because we have to take the long way around.”

The transportation of the booster involved a unique setup, utilizing two trailers that formed an in-house assembly designed to support the rocket. This assembly featured a total of 22 axles and 176 tires, all towed by a repurposed U.S. Army tank transporter, the Oshkosh M1070. With an impressive 505 horsepower and 1,825 pound-feet of torque, this vehicle, humorously dubbed GERT—Giant Enormous Rocket Truck—was instrumental in the booster’s transport. Limp noted that the distance between GERT’s front bumper and the trailer’s rear was approximately 310 feet, comparable to the length of a football field.

The transport commenced before sunrise and concluded by the afternoon, demonstrating the logistical prowess of Blue Origin’s team. The next phase in the launch preparation involves integrating the first and second stages of the rocket on the launch pad, followed by a fully integrated hot fire dress rehearsal. The second stage of the New Glenn rocket recently completed its own hot fire test at the launch site, paving the way for the upcoming activities.

Jeff Bezos, the founder of Blue Origin, has invested over $1 billion to bring Space Launch Complex 36 to operational status. This launch site, located on the southern end of the Space Force station, is positioned a mere five miles from the inlet at Port Canaveral. This proximity is expected to attract large crowds eager to witness the spectacle of the launch, particularly from popular viewing spots such as the beaches of Jetty Park. In contrast, SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy launches from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Pad 39-A are situated 14 miles away from the inlet, making Blue Origin’s launches more accessible for local spectators.

Blue Origin’s acquisition of the lease for Launch Complex 36 in 2015 marked a significant step in the company’s expansion into the commercial launch market. The site has a storied history, having been utilized for various government launches from 1962 to 2005, including the historic lunar lander Surveyor 1 in 1967 and several Mariner probes that explored the solar system.

While the New Glenn rocket remains untested, the upcoming launch is highly anticipated within the aerospace community. Blue Origin’s commitment to developing a reliable heavy-lift launch vehicle is evident, and the successful transport of the first stage booster is a testament to the company’s progress. As the date approaches for the potential November launch, excitement continues to build surrounding Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and its capabilities in the ever-evolving landscape of space exploration.