|
}}
The '''BE-4''' (Blue Engine 4)<ref name="NBCNews-2014-09-17">{{Cite news |last=Alan Boyle |date=17 September 2014 |title=Bezos vs. Musk: Blue Origin and ULA Turn Up the Heat in Rocket Battle |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/bezos-vs-musk-blue-origin-ula-turn-heat-rocket-battle-n205581 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611013334/http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/bezos-vs-musk-blue-origin-ula-turn-heat-rocket-battle-n205581 |archive-date=11 June 2015 |access-date=11 June 2015 |work=NBC News}}</ref> is an oxygen-rich,<ref>{{Cite web |last=<!--Not stated--> |title=Rocket Engines Designed for Reuse |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190203080633/https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/ |archive-date=3 February 2019 |access-date=28 February 2019 |publisher=Blue Origin}}</ref> liquefied-methane-fueled, [[Staged combustion cycle|staged-combustion]], rocket engine. It is produced by [[Blue Origin]]. The BE-4 was developed with private and public funding.<ref name="ars20210805">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=5 August 2021 |title=Blue Origin's powerful BE-4 engine is more than four years late—here's why |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/08/blue-origins-powerful-be-4-engine-is-more-than-four-years-late-heres-why/ |access-date=6 August 2021 |work=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref> The engine has been designed to produceproduces {{convert|550000|lbf|kN|disp=flip|lk=on}} of thrust at sea level.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE-4 Rocket Engine |url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/news-items/be-4_fact_sheet_web_final_2.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200727133833/https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/news-items/be-4_fact_sheet_web_final_2.pdf |archive-date=27 July 2020 |access-date=27 July 2020 |publisher=ULA}}</ref>
ItThe engine was initially planned for the engine to be used exclusively on a [[Blue Origin]]'s proprietary launch vehicle [[New Glenn]], thelaunch company's first orbital rocketvehicle. However, it was announced in 2014 that the engine would also be used on the [[United Launch Alliance]] (ULA) selected the engine for the [[Vulcan Centaur]] launch vehicle, the successor to the [[Atlas V]] launch vehicle.<ref name=ars20160309/> FinalULA's final engine selection by ULA happened in September 2018.<ref>{{Cite web |date=28 September 2018 |title=United Launch Alliance Building Rocket of the Future with Industry-Leading Strategic Partnerships |url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news-detail/2018/09/27/united-launch-alliance-building-rocket-of-the-future-with-industry-leading-strategic-partnerships |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928043933/https://www.ulalaunch.com/about/news-detail/2018/09/27/united-launch-alliance-building-rocket-of-the-future-with-industry-leading-strategic-partnerships |archive-date=28 September 2018 |access-date=27 September 2018}}</ref>
Although previously planned to fly as early as 2019, theBE-4's first [[flight test]] of the new engine was launched on [[Peregrine Mission One|8 January 2024]] on the [[Vulcan Centaur]] rocket.
==History==
Following [[Aerojet M-1|Aerojet's]] acquisition of [[Pratt & Whitney]] [[Rocketdyne]] in 2012, Blue Origin president [[Rob Meyerson]] saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the defense industrial base.<ref>{{Citation |title=#01 Building Blue Origin with Rob Meyerson |url=https://open.spotify.com/episode/7KT9YLblFP6nLsby0jkGsh |access-date=19 May 2021 |language=en}}</ref> Blue Origin publicly entered the liquid rocket engine business by partnering with ULA and other companies on the development of the BE-4, and working with other companies. Meyerson announced the selection of Huntsville, AL as the location of Blue Origin's rocket production factory in June 2017.<ref name="ars20170628">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=28 June 2017 |title=Why is Jeff Bezos building rocket engines in Alabama? He's playing to win |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/heres-why-jeff-bezos-is-building-rocket-engines-in-alabama/ |access-date=19 May 2021 |work=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref>
Blue Origin began work on the BE-4 in 2011,<ref name="sn20150930">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=30 September 2015 |title=Blue Origin Reaches Milestone in BE-4 Engine Development |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-reaches-milestone-in-be-4-engine-development/ |access-date=30 December 2021 |work=[[Space News]]}}</ref> although nothe public announcement was made untilin September 2014.<ref name="sn20140917" /> This was their first engine to combust [[liquid oxygen]] and [[liquified natural gas|methane]] [[rocket propellant|propellants]]. In September 2014—in a choice labeled "a stunner" by [[SpaceNews]]<ref name="sn20150424" />—the large launch vehicle manufacturer and launch service provider [[United Launch Alliance]] selected the BE-4 as the main engine for a new primary launch vehicle.<ref name="sn20150424">{{Cite news |last=Mike Gruss |date=24 April 2015 |title=Evolution of a Plan: ULA Execs Spell Out Logic Behind Vulcan Design Choices |url=http://spacenews.com/evolution-of-a-plan-ula-execs-spell-out-logic-behind-vulcan-design-choices |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150425215959/http://spacenews.com/evolution-of-a-plan-ula-execs-spell-out-logic-behind-vulcan-design-choices/ |archive-date=25 April 2015 |access-date=25 April 2015 |work=Space News}}</ref> Blue Origin said that the "BE-4 would be 'ready for flight' by 2017".<ref name=ars20210805/>
ByIn AprilSeptember 2015,2014 twoULA parallelselected developmentBE-4 programsas werethe undermain way.engine One program was testing full-scale versions offor the BE-4 [[PowerheadVulcan (rocket engine)|powerpackVulcan]], whichlaunch arevehicle. theVulcan setis ofa valves[[Atlas andV turbopumps that provide the proper fuel/oxidizer mixsuccessor|successor]] to the [[injectorAtlas V]]s, and combustion chamber.<!-BE-4 awould powerpackreplace isthe also sometimes known as a "powerhead", as in theRussian-made [[Integrated Powerhead DemonstratorRD-180]] --> The second program was testing subscale versions of the engine's injectors.<ref name="sn20150407sn20150424">{{Cite news |last=JeffMike FoustGruss |date=724 April 2015 |title=BlueEvolution Originof Completesa BE-3Plan: EngineULA asExecs BE-4Spell WorkOut ContinuesLogic Behind Vulcan Design Choices |url=http://spacenews.com/blueevolution-originof-completesa-beplan-3ula-engineexecs-asspell-beout-4logic-workbehind-vulcan-design-continueschoices |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/2015040803485320150425215959/http://spacenews.com/blueevolution-originof-completesa-beplan-3ula-engineexecs-asspell-beout-4logic-workbehind-vulcan-design-continueschoices/ |archive-date=825 April 2015 |access-date=825 April 2015 |work=[[Space News]]}}</ref> TheBlue companyOrigin plannedsaid tothat beginthe full"BE-scale4 enginewould testingbe in'ready latefor 2016flight' andby expected2017".<ref toname="ars20210805" complete/> developmentBlue ofOrigin indicated that they intend to make the engine inavailable 2017to companies beyond ULA.<ref name=sn20150407"tsr20140922">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=22 September 2014 |title=Commercial crew and commercial engines |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2605/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326153026/https://www.thespacereview.com/article/2605/1 |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=1 October 2014 |work=The Space Review}}</ref>
By April 2015, two parallel development programs were under way. One program was testing full-scale versions of the BE-4 [[Powerhead (rocket engine)|powerpack]], the set of valves and turbopumps that provide the proper fuel/oxidizer mix to the [[injector]]s and combustion chamber.<!-- a powerpack is also sometimes known as a "powerhead", as in the [[Integrated Powerhead Demonstrator]] --> The second program was testing subscale versions of the engine's injectors.<ref name="sn20150407">{{Cite news |last=Jeff Foust |date=7 April 2015 |title=Blue Origin Completes BE-3 Engine as BE-4 Work Continues |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-completes-be-3-engine-as-be-4-work-continues |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150408034853/http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-completes-be-3-engine-as-be-4-work-continues/ |archive-date=8 April 2015 |access-date=8 April 2015 |work=[[Space News]]}}</ref> The company planned to begin full-scale engine testing in late 2016 and expected to complete development in 2017.<ref name=sn20150407/>
By September 2015, Blue Origin had completed more than 100 development tests of several elements of the BE-4, including the [[preburner]] and a "[[Regenerative cooling (rocket)|regeneratively cooled]] [[thrust chamber]] using multiple full-scale injector elements". The tests were used to confirm the theoretical model predictions of "injector performance, [[heat transfer]], and [[combustion stability]]", and data collected was being used to refine the engine design.<ref name="blue20150930">{{Cite web |date=20 September 2015 |title=Blue Origin Completes More Than 100 Staged-Combustion Tests in Development of BE-4 Engine |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/news/news/blue-origin-completes-more-than-100-staged-combustion-tests-in-development |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170921144921/https://www.blueorigin.com/news/news/blue-origin-completes-more-than-100-staged-combustion-tests-in-development |archive-date=21 September 2017 |access-date=12 January 2016 |publisher=Blue Origin}}</ref> ThereA wastest andevice explosionexploded on the test stand during 2015 during powerpack testing. Blue Origin built two larger and redundant test stands to follow, capable of testing the full thrust of the BE-4.<ref name=sn20160316>{{Cite news |last=de Selding |first=Peter B. |date=16 March 2016 |title=ULA intends to lower its costs, and raise its cool, to compete with SpaceX |url=http://spacenews.com/ula-intends-to-lower-its-costs-and-raise-its-cool-to-compete-with-spacex/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20160317125310/http://spacenews.com/ula-intends-to-lower-its-costs-and-raise-its-cool-to-compete-with-spacex/ |archive-date=17 March 2016 |access-date=19 March 2016 |work=[[SpaceNews (publication)|SpaceNews]] |quote=[Blue Origin] did blow up one of their engines on the test stand ... restart the engine ... head pressure start of the turbine ... [Blue] blew up a powerpack under test ... [Bezos] opened up his checkbook, ... need to rebuild test stand, move up to 500 k powerpack for the Vulcan BE-4 engine; not one but two test stands ... agility to ... write with own checkbook is just refreshing <!-- quote at 33:10 in the audio recording with the sn20160316 source -->}}</ref>
In January 2016, Blue Origin announced that they intended to begin testing full engines of the BE-4 on ground test stands prior to the end of 2016.<ref name="sn20160123b">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Brian |date=23 January 2016 |title=Launch. Land. Repeat: Blue Origin posts video of New Shepard's Friday flight |url=http://spacenews.com/launch-land-repeat-blue-origin-posts-video-of-new-shepards-friday-flight/ |access-date=24 January 2016 |work=SpaceNews |quote=Also this year, we'll start full-engine testing of the BE-4}}</ref> Following a factory tour in March 2016, journalist Eric Berger noted that a large part of "Blue Origin's factory has been given over to development of the Blue Engine-4".<ref name="ars20160309">{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=9 March 2016 |title=Behind the curtain: Ars goes inside Blue Origin's secretive rocket factory |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/behind-the-curtain-ars-goes-inside-blue-origins-secretive-rocket-factory/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309174506/http://arstechnica.com/science/2016/03/behind-the-curtain-ars-goes-inside-blue-origins-secretive-rocket-factory/ |archive-date=9 March 2016 |access-date=9 March 2016 |work=[[Ars Technica]]}}</ref>
Initially, both first-stage and second-stage versions of the engine were planned. The second stage of the initial New Glenn design was to have sharedshare the same stage diameter as the first stage and use a single vacuum-optimized BE-4, the '''BE-4U'''.<ref name="nsf20160912">{{Cite news |last=Bergin |first=Chris |date=12 September 2016 |title=Blue Origin introduce the New Glenn orbital LV |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/blue-origin-new-glenn-orbital-lv/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160913152524/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2016/09/blue-origin-new-glenn-orbital-lv/ |archive-date=13 September 2016 |access-date=13 November 2018 |work=[[NASASpaceFlight.com]] |quote=the two-stage New Glenn is 270 feet tall, and its second stage is powered by a single vacuum-optimized BE-4 engine (the BE-4U)}}</ref> In the eventLater, they backed away from this plan.
The first engine was fully assembled in March 2017.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=838748139964272640 |user=JeffBezos |title=1st BE-4 engine fully assembled. 2nd and 3rd following close behind. #GradatimFerociter<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=6 March 2017 |access-date=6 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170307165514/https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/838748139964272640 |archive-date=7 March 2017}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=June 2020}} Also in March, United Launch AllianceULA indicated that the economic risk of the Blue Origin engine selection option had been retired, but that the technical risk on the project would remain until a series of engine firing tests were completed later in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web |date=5 April 2017 |title=Bruno: Vulcan engine downselect is Blue's to lose |url=https://spacenews.com/bruno-vulcan-engine-downselect-is-blues-to-lose/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20170406175055/http://spacenews.com/bruno-vulcan-engine-downselect-is-blues-to-lose/ |archive-date=6 April 2017 |access-date=17 March 2021 |website=SpaceNews}}</ref><nowiki> A test anomaly occurred on</nowiki>In 13 MayJune 2017, and Blue Origin reportedannounced that they lostwould build a setnew offacility powerpackin hardware[[Huntsville, Alabama]], to manufacture BE-4.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=1528 MayJune 2017 |title=BlueWhy Originis suffersJeff BE-4Bezos testingbuilding mishaprocket engines in Alabama? He's playing to win |url=https://spacenewsarstechnica.com/bluescience/2017/06/heres-originwhy-suffersjeff-bebezos-4is-testingbuilding-mishaprocket-engines-in-alabama/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://waybackweb.archive-it.org/allweb/2017081808384620170703184505/httphttps://spacenewsarstechnica.com/bluescience/2017/06/heres-originwhy-suffersjeff-bebezos-4is-testingbuilding-rocket-engines-in-mishapalabama/ |archive-date=183 AugustJuly 2017 |access-date=176 MarchJuly 2021 |website=SpaceNews2017}}</ref>{{update after|2019}}
BE-4 was first test-fired, at 50% thrust for 3 seconds, in October 2017,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=19 October 2017 |title=Blue Origin just sent a jolt through the aerospace industry |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/blue-origin-has-successfully-tested-its-powerful-be-4-rocket-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019203559/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/blue-origin-has-successfully-tested-its-powerful-be-4-rocket-engine/ |archive-date=19 October 2017 |access-date=19 October 2017 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> rising by March 2018, to 65% for 114 seconds,<ref>{{Citation |last=Blue Origin |title=BE-4 Engine test: 65% power level and 114 seconds |date=14 March 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928235910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live}}.</ref> by February 2019 to 73%,<ref name="bi20190223">{{Cite news |last=Mosher |first=Dave |date=23 February 2019 |title=Jeff Bezos just gave a private talk in New York. From utopian space colonies to dissing Elon Musk's Martian dream, here are the most notable things he said. |url=https://amp.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-wings-club-presentation-transcript-2019-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224151730/https://amp.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-wings-club-presentation-transcript-2019-2 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref> and by August 2019 to 100%.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alan Boyle |date=2 August 2019 |title=Jeff Bezos touts a full-power firing of Blue Origin's next-generation BE-4 rocket engine |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2019/jeff-bezos-touts-full-power-firing-blue-origins-next-generation-4-rocket-engine/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |work=geekwire.com}}</ref> Testing and support took place at the company's orbital launch facility at [[Exploration Park]] in [[Florida]], where Blue Origin invested more than {{USD|200 million}} in facilities and improvements.<ref name="ft20160312">{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Wayne T. |date=12 March 2016 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could change the face of space travel |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/03/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-amazon-space-exploration-brevard-county-florida/81649214/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065214/http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/03/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-amazon-space-exploration-brevard-county-florida/81649214/ |archive-date=6 January 2018 |access-date=13 March 2016 |work=[[Florida Today]]}}</ref>
In June 2017, Blue Origin announced that they would build a new facility in [[Huntsville, Alabama]], to manufacture the large BE-4 cryogenic rocket engine.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=28 June 2017 |title=Why is Jeff Bezos building rocket engines in Alabama? He's playing to win |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/heres-why-jeff-bezos-is-building-rocket-engines-in-alabama/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170703184505/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/06/heres-why-jeff-bezos-is-building-rocket-engines-in-alabama/ |archive-date=3 July 2017 |access-date=6 July 2017}}</ref>{{update after|2019}}
[[File:Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine, sn 103, April 2018 -- LCH4 inlet side view, minus nozzle.jpg|thumb|Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine [[Powerhead (rocket engine)|powerhead]] and combustion chamber, April 2018—[[liquified natural gas |methane]] inlet side view. This was the first BE-4 engine to be hotfire tested; the test occurred on 18 October 2017.]] ▼The BE-4 was first test-fired, at 50% thrust for 3 seconds, in October 2017.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |date=19 October 2017 |title=Blue Origin just sent a jolt through the aerospace industry |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/blue-origin-has-successfully-tested-its-powerful-be-4-rocket-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019203559/https://arstechnica.com/science/2017/10/blue-origin-has-successfully-tested-its-powerful-be-4-rocket-engine/ |archive-date=19 October 2017 |access-date=19 October 2017 |publisher=Ars Technica}}</ref> By March 2018, the BE-4 engine had been tested at 65% of design thrust for 114 seconds<ref>{{Citation |last=Blue Origin |title=BE-4 Engine test: 65% power level and 114 seconds |date=14 March 2018 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |access-date=20 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928235910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |archive-date=28 September 2018 |url-status=live}}.</ref> with a goal expressed in May to achieve 70% of design thrust in the next several months.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=998961252184543233 |user=jeff_foust |title=Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin: key for us in the next few months is continued BE-4 engine testing. Up to 70% thrust, … |date=22 May 2018}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=June 2020}} By September 2018, multiple hundreds of seconds of engine testing had been completed, including one test of over 200 seconds duration.<ref name="sn20180925">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=25 September 2018 |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne seeks other customers for AR1 engine |url=https://spacenews.com/aerojet-rocketdyne-seeks-other-customers-for-ar1-engine/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |work=[[SpaceNews]] |quote='It's performing quite well', Blue Origin Chief Executive Bob Smith said of BE-4 on the same panel as Bruno. 'We've gone through several hundred seconds of firing, including an over 200-second firing of that engine, so we're feeling very good about its progress and what we're going to be able to deliver to the market, as well as for our own consumption.'}}</ref>
In October 2018, Blue Origin President Bob Smith announced that the first New Glenn launch had been moved back to 2021,<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1050069752679301120 |user=b0yle |title=Latest schedule from @blueorigin CEO Bob Smith at #afasummit2018: People to fly on #NewShepard starting n first hal… |date=10 October 2018}}</ref> followed in 2021 by an additional slip to late 2022.<ref name="spacenewsFe2021">{{Cite web |date=25 February 2021 |title=Blue Origin delays first launch of New Glenn to late 2022 |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delays-first-launch-of-new-glenn-to-late-2022/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210922131539/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delays-first-launch-of-new-glenn-to-late-2022/ |archive-date=22 September 2021 |access-date=25 February 2021 |publisher=SpaceNews}}</ref> The first flight test of the BE-4 was then redirected for the initial [[Vulcan Centaur]] launch rather than on New Glenn.
▲[[File:Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine, sn 103, April 2018 -- LCH4 inlet side view, minus nozzle.jpg|thumb|Blue Origin BE-4 rocket engine [[Powerhead (rocket engine)|powerhead]] and combustion chamber, April 2018—[[liquified natural gas]] inlet side view. This was the first BE-4 engine to be hotfire tested; the test occurred on 18 October 2017.]]
In OctoberJuly 20182020, Blue Origin President Bob Smith announced that the first launch[[Test of the New Glenn had been moved back to 2021,<ref>{{Cite tweetarticle (aerospace)|number=1050069752679301120pathfinder]] |user=b0yleBE-4 |title=Latestwas schedule from @blueorigin CEO Bob Smith at #afasummit2018: Peopledelivered to flyULA onfor #NewShepardintegration startingtesting nwith firstVulcan hal… |date=10 October 2018}}</ref> and in 2021 an additional slip to late 2022 was announcedCentaur.<ref name="spacenewsFe2021">{{Cite web |date=252 FebruaryJuly 20212020 |title=Blue Origin delaysdelivers the first launchBE-4 of New Glennengine to lateUnited Launch 2022Alliance |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delaysdelivers-the-first-launchbe-of4-new-glennengine-to-lateunited-launch-2022alliance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://webwayback.archive-it.org/weball/2021092213153920200704212056/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delaysdelivers-the-first-launchbe-of-new4-glennengine-to-lateunited-2022launch-alliance/ |archive-date=224 SeptemberJuly 20212020 |access-date=2514 FebruaryAugust 20212020 |publisherwebsite=SpaceNews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite Thisweb caused|date=5 theJuly first2020 flight|title=Blue testOrigin ofRocket theEngine BE-4Delivered to beUS' scheduledUnited forLaunch theAlliance, initialto [[VulcanEnd Centaur]]Russian launchImports rather|url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27350/Blue_Origin_Rocket_Engine_Delivered_to_US____United_Launch_Alliance__to_End_Russian_Imports#.XzcNliSYXU8 than|url-status=live on|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807203133/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27350/Blue_Origin_Rocket_Engine_Delivered_to_US____United_Launch_Alliance__to_End_Russian_Imports#.XzcNliSYXU8 New|archive-date=7 Glenn.August 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020 |website=Defense World}}</ref>
In August 2020, ULA CEO [[Tory Bruno]] stated that the second test BE-4 would be delivered soon, followed quickly by the first flight-qualified ones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2020 |title=Tory Bruno on ULA's big win: 'We knew we were going to be competitive' |url=https://spacenews.com/tory-bruno-on-ulas-big-win-we-knew-we-were-going-to-be-competitive/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=SpaceNews}}</ref> He noted an ongoing issue with the BE-4's turbopumps. At the time, Blue Origin was still troubleshooting the 75,000-horsepower pumps that bring fuel to the BE-4's main combustion chamber, Bruno said, adding that he was confident the issues would be resolved soon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2020 |title=United launch alliance space force spacex contract |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2020/08/20/united-launch-alliance-space-force-spacex-contract.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205075434/https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2020/08/20/united-launch-alliance-space-force-spacex-contract.html |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=17 March 2021 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> In October, Bruno stated that theThe issue was resolved and that the engine was moved into production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 2020 |title=With turbopump issues 'sorted out', BE-4 rocket engine moves into production |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/ula-chief-says-the-be-4-rocket-engines-turbopump-issues-are-resolved/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026162009/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/ula-chief-says-the-be-4-rocket-engines-turbopump-issues-are-resolved/ |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> In the event, it was not, and would not becontinued until 2022.<ref name= "ars20210805 " /> ▼By February 2019, the BE-4 had acquired a total of 1800 seconds of hot fire testing on ground test stands, but had yet to be tested above {{convert|400000|lbf|kN|disp=flip}} pounds of thrust, about 73% of the engine's rated thrust of {{cvt|550000|lbf|kN|disp=flip}}.<ref name="bi20190223">{{Cite news |last=Mosher |first=Dave |date=23 February 2019 |title=Jeff Bezos just gave a private talk in New York. From utopian space colonies to dissing Elon Musk's Martian dream, here are the most notable things he said. |url=https://amp.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-wings-club-presentation-transcript-2019-2 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190224151730/https://amp.businessinsider.com/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-wings-club-presentation-transcript-2019-2 |archive-date=24 February 2019 |access-date=25 February 2019 |work=[[Business Insider]]}}</ref>
ByOn August31 2019October 2022, Blue Origin announced that the first two BE-4 wasengines undergoingwere full-powerbeing engineintegrated testson a Vulcan rocket.<ref>{{Cite newsweb |last=Alan Boyle |first=Alan |date=231 AugustOctober 20192022 |title=JeffBlue BezosOrigin toutscompletes a full-power firingdelivery of Blue Origin's next-generation BE-4 rocket engineengines for first ULA Vulcan launch |url=https://www.geekwire.com/20192022/jeff-bezos-touts-full-power-firing-blue-originsorigin-nextdelivery-generationbe-4-rocket-engineengines-ula-vulcan/ |access-date=147 MayNovember 20232022 |workwebsite=geekwire.comGeekWire |language=en-US}}</ref>
On 11 May 2023, ULA CEO [[Tory Bruno ]] on his official account stated in response to a question that BE-4 qualification testing had been completed "several weeks ago", indicating it was finished no lateri.e,, thanby the end of April 2023.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1656612692097138688 |user=torybruno |title=Yes. BE qual was complete several weeks ago}}</ref> ▼In July 2020, the first [[Test article (aerospace)|pathfinder]] BE-4 was delivered to United Launch Alliance for integration testing with Vulcan Centaur.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2 July 2020 |title=Blue Origin delivers the first BE-4 engine to United Launch Alliance |url=https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delivers-the-first-be-4-engine-to-united-launch-alliance/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://wayback.archive-it.org/all/20200704212056/https://spacenews.com/blue-origin-delivers-the-first-be-4-engine-to-united-launch-alliance/ |archive-date=4 July 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020 |website=SpaceNews}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=5 July 2020 |title=Blue Origin Rocket Engine Delivered to US' United Launch Alliance, to End Russian Imports |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27350/Blue_Origin_Rocket_Engine_Delivered_to_US____United_Launch_Alliance__to_End_Russian_Imports#.XzcNliSYXU8 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200807203133/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/27350/Blue_Origin_Rocket_Engine_Delivered_to_US____United_Launch_Alliance__to_End_Russian_Imports#.XzcNliSYXU8 |archive-date=7 August 2020 |access-date=14 August 2020 |website=Defense World}}</ref>
On 30 June 2023, a BE-4 engine exploded 10 seconds into testing, resulting in damage todamaging the test stand . The engine was intended for flight on the second Vulcan flight. Blue Origin has claimed to know the cause, however, {{as of|2023|10|18|lc=on}}, they have not released this information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=11 July 2023 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket engine explodes during testing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-explodes-during-testing.html |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> ▼▲In August 2020, ULA CEO [[Tory Bruno]] stated that the second test BE-4 would be delivered soon, followed quickly by the first flight-qualified ones.<ref>{{Cite web |date=11 August 2020 |title=Tory Bruno on ULA's big win: 'We knew we were going to be competitive' |url=https://spacenews.com/tory-bruno-on-ulas-big-win-we-knew-we-were-going-to-be-competitive/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=SpaceNews}}</ref> He noted an ongoing issue with the BE-4's turbopumps. At the time, Blue Origin was still troubleshooting the 75,000-horsepower pumps that bring fuel to the BE-4's main combustion chamber, Bruno said, adding that he was confident the issues would be resolved soon.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 August 2020 |title=United launch alliance space force spacex contract |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2020/08/20/united-launch-alliance-space-force-spacex-contract.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210205075434/https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2020/08/20/united-launch-alliance-space-force-spacex-contract.html |archive-date=5 February 2021 |access-date=17 March 2021 |website=www.bizjournals.com}}</ref> In October, Bruno stated that the issue was resolved and that the engine was moved into production.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 October 2020 |title=With turbopump issues 'sorted out', BE-4 rocket engine moves into production |url=https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/ula-chief-says-the-be-4-rocket-engines-turbopump-issues-are-resolved/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026162009/https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/10/ula-chief-says-the-be-4-rocket-engines-turbopump-issues-are-resolved/ |archive-date=26 October 2020 |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> In the event, it was not, and would not be until 2022.<ref name=ars20210805/>
On 8 January 2024, ULA successfully launched its Vulcan-Centaur<ref>{{Citation |title=Vulcan Centaur |date=8 January 2024 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vulcan_Centaur&oldid=1194310124 |access-date=8 January 2024 |language=en}}.</ref> rocketpowered using theby BE-4 engine. This marked the first time the engine had been used for a successful flight. ▼On 31 October 2022, a Twitter post by the official Blue Origin account announced that the first two BE-4 engines had been delivered to ULA and were in the process of being integrated on a Vulcan rocket. In a later tweet, ULA CEO Tory Bruno said that one of the engines had already been installed on the booster, and that the other would be joining it momentarily.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=31 October 2022 |title=Blue Origin completes delivery of BE-4 rocket engines for first ULA Vulcan launch |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2022/blue-origin-delivery-be-4-rocket-engines-ula-vulcan/ |access-date=7 November 2022 |website=GeekWire |language=en-US}}</ref>
As of 2024, there arewere two BE-4 production lines for the BE-4, one to supply ULA and one for New Glenn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Ian |date=4 June 2024 |title=Blue Origin works towards New Glenn debut, ramps BE-4 deliveries |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/06/new-glenn-test-be4-ramp/ |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref> ▼▲On 11 May 2023, ULA CEO [[Tory Bruno]] on his official account stated in response to a question that BE-4 qualification testing had been completed "several weeks ago", indicating it was finished no later than the end of April 2023.<ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1656612692097138688 |user=torybruno |title=Yes. BE qual was complete several weeks ago}}</ref>
▲On 30 June 2023, a BE-4 engine exploded 10 seconds into testing, resulting in damage to the test stand. The engine was intended for flight on the second Vulcan flight. Blue Origin has claimed to know the cause, however, {{as of|2023|10|18|lc=on}}, they have not released this information.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=11 July 2023 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket engine explodes during testing |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/07/11/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-be-4-rocket-engine-explodes-during-testing.html |access-date=12 July 2023 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref>
▲On 8 January 2024, ULA successfully launched its Vulcan-Centaur<ref>{{Citation |title=Vulcan Centaur |date=8 January 2024 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vulcan_Centaur&oldid=1194310124 |access-date=8 January 2024 |language=en}}.</ref> rocket using the BE-4 engine. This marked the first time the engine had been used for a successful flight.
▲As of 2024, there are two production lines for the BE-4, one to supply ULA and one for New Glenn.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Ian |date=4 June 2024 |title=Blue Origin works towards New Glenn debut, ramps BE-4 deliveries |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2024/06/new-glenn-test-be4-ramp/ |access-date=16 June 2024 |website=NASASpaceFlight.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Applications ==
By 2017, the BE-4 was being considered for use on two [[launch vehicle]]s then under development. Prior to this, a modified derivative of the BE-4 was also being considered for the experimental [[XS-1 (spacecraft)|XS-1]] [[spaceplane]] for a [[US military]] project,<ref>{{Cite news |last=Alan Boyle |date=14 May 2017 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin says BE-4 rocket test goes awry, but tests will resume soon |url=https://www.geekwire.com/2017/blue-origin-be4-engine-awry/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |work=geekwire.com}}</ref> but was not selected. By 2018, it was the selected engine for both the Blue Origin New Glenn and the ULA Vulcan launch vehicles.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Jeff Foust |date=27 September 2018 |title=ULA selects Blue Origin to provide Vulcan main engine |url=https://spacenews.com/ula-selects-blue-origin-to-provide-vulcan-main-engine/ |access-date=14 May 2023 |publisher=[[Space News]]}}</ref>
{{Further|Vulcan Centaur}}
In late 2014, Blue Origin signed an agreement with [[United Launch Alliance]] to co-develop the BE-4 engine and to commit to use the new engine on the [[Vulcan (rocket)|Vulcan]] launch vehicle, a [[Atlas V successor|successor]] to the [[Atlas V]], which would replace the Russian-made [[RD-180]] engine.<ref name=sn20150424/> Vulcan will use two of the {{convert|550000|lbf|kN|order=flip|abbr=on}} BE-4 engines on each [[first stage (rocketry)|first stage]]. The engine development program began in 2011.<ref name="wp201409">{{Cite news |last=Achenbach |first=Joel |date=17 September 2014 |title=Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin to supply engines for national security space launches |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/jeff-bezos-and-blue-origin-to-supply-engines-for-national-security-space-launches/2014/09/17/59f46eb2-3e7b-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140925075923/http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/health-science/jeff-bezos-and-blue-origin-to-supply-engines-for-national-security-space-launches/2014/09/17/59f46eb2-3e7b-11e4-9587-5dafd96295f0_story.html |archive-date=25 September 2014 |access-date=27 September 2014 |work=The Washington Post}}</ref><ref name="sfn150408">{{Cite web |date=17 September 2014 |title=ULA taps Blue Origin for powerful new rocket engine |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1409/17ulablueorigin/?fb_comment_id=839393116095341_839434626091190#.V-GLjnoSNWg |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220175736/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1409/17ulablueorigin/?fb_comment_id=839393116095341_839434626091190#.V-GLjnoSNWg |archive-date=20 December 2016 |access-date=8 April 2015 |publisher=Spaceflightnow.com}}</ref><ref name="sn20140917">{{Cite news |last=Ferster |first=Warren |date=17 September 2014 |title=ULA To Invest in Blue Origin Engine as RD-180 Replacement |url=https://spacenews.com/41901ula-to-invest-in-blue-origin-engine-as-rd-180-replacement/ |access-date=11 June 2021 |work=Space News}}</ref>
The BE-4 competed with and defeated the [[AR1 (rocket engine)|AR1]] engine for the Atlas V RD-180 replacement program. The AR1, like the RD-180, is [[RP-1|kerosene]]-fueled.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mike Gruss |date=27 February 2015 |title=Timing of Russian Engine Ban Puts ULA, Air Force, in a Bind |url=http://spacenews.com/timing-of-russian-engine-ban-puts-ula-air-force-in-a-bind/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150228074908/http://spacenews.com/timing-of-russian-engine-ban-puts-ula-air-force-in-a-bind/ |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=8 April 2015 |publisher=Space News}}</ref>
The ULA partnership announcement came after months of uncertainty about the future of the Russian [[RD-180]] engine that has been used in the ULA [[Atlas V]] rocket for over a decade. Geopolitical concerns had come about that created serious concerns about the reliability and consistency of the [[supply chain]] for the procurement of the Russian engine.<ref name="tsr20140922">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=22 September 2014 |title=Commercial crew and commercial engines |url=http://www.thespacereview.com/article/2605/1 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326153026/https://www.thespacereview.com/article/2605/1 |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=1 October 2014 |work=The Space Review}}</ref> Initially, ULA expected the first flight of the new launch vehicle no earlier than 2019<ref name=sn20140917/><ref name=sn20150424/> but by 2018, that target had moved out to 2021.<ref name="sn20181025">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=25 October 2018 |title=ULA now planning first launch of Vulcan in 2021 |url=https://spacenews.com/ula-now-planning-first-launch-of-vulcan-in-2021/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |work=[[SpaceNews]]}}</ref>
Since early 2015, the BE-4 had been in competition with the [[AR1 (rocket engine)|AR1]] engine for the Atlas V RD-180 replacement program. While the BE-4 is a liquified natural gas engine, the AR1, like the RD-180, is [[RP-1|kerosene]]-fueled.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Mike Gruss |date=27 February 2015 |title=Timing of Russian Engine Ban Puts ULA, Air Force, in a Bind |url=http://spacenews.com/timing-of-russian-engine-ban-puts-ula-air-force-in-a-bind/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20150228074908/http://spacenews.com/timing-of-russian-engine-ban-puts-ula-air-force-in-a-bind/ |archive-date=28 February 2015 |access-date=8 April 2015 |publisher=Space News}}</ref> In February 2016, the [[US Air Force]] issued a contract that provides partial development funding of up to {{USD|202 million}} to ULA in order to support use of the Blue Origin BE-4 engine on the ULA [[Vulcan rocket|Vulcan]] launch vehicle.<ref name="sn20160229">{{Cite news |last=Gruss |first=Mike |date=29 February 2016 |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne, ULA win Air Force propulsion contracts |url=http://spacenews.com/aerojet-rocketdyne-ula-win-air-force-propulsion-contracts/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161218192958/http://spacenews.com/aerojet-rocketdyne-ula-win-air-force-propulsion-contracts/ |archive-date=18 December 2016 |access-date=1 March 2016 |work=[[SpaceNews (publication)|SpaceNews]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=defense.gov |url=http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/682238 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301145231/http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/682238 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |access-date=1 March 2016}}</ref>
The original USAF contract to [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] (AR) to advance development of the AR1 engine was {{USD|536 million}},<ref name=sn20160229/> but by June 2018, the USAF had decreased its contribution—5/6ths of the total cost—to {{USD|294 million}}. ARR put no additional private funds into effort after early 2018.<ref name="sn20180925">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=25 September 2018 |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne seeks other customers for AR1 engine |url=https://spacenews.com/aerojet-rocketdyne-seeks-other-customers-for-ar1-engine/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |work=[[SpaceNews]] |quote='It's performing quite well', Blue Origin Chief Executive Bob Smith said of BE-4 on the same panel as Bruno. 'We've gone through several hundred seconds of firing, including an over 200-second firing of that engine, so we're feeling very good about its progress and what we're going to be able to deliver to the market, as well as for our own consumption.'}}</ref>
Initially, only {{USD|40.8 million}} was to be disbursed by the government with {{USD|40.8 million}} additional to be spent by a ULA subsidiary on Vulcan BE-4 development.<ref name="usdod20160229">{{Cite web |date=29 February 2016 |title=Contracts: Press Operations Release No: CR-037-16 |url=http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/682238 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160301145231/http://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract-View/Article/682238 |archive-date=1 March 2016 |access-date=1 March 2016 |publisher=U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE |quote=United Launch Services LLC, a majority owned subsidiary of United Launch Alliance, Centennial, Colorado, has been awarded a $46,629,267 other transaction agreement for the development of the Vulcan BE-4 and Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage (ACES) rocket propulsion system prototypes for the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program. ... This other transaction agreement requires shared cost investment with United Launch Services for the development of prototypes of the Vulcan BE-4 rocket propulsion system, which is a booster stage engine, and .... The Vulcan BE-4 award is for $45,820,515, or 98.3 percent of the total awarded amount. ... intended for use on United Launch Alliance's Vulcan launch vehicle. ... The work is expected to be completed no later than Dec. 31, 2019. Air Force fiscal 2015 research, development, test and evaluation funds in the amount of $26,344,603 are being obligated at the time of award. United Launch Services is contributing $40,828,213 at the time of award. The total potential government investment, including all options, is $201,655,584. The total potential investment by United Launch Services, including all options, is $134,196,971.}}</ref> Although {{USD|536 million}} was the original USAF contract amount to [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] (AR) to advance development of the AR1 engine as an alternative for powering the Vulcan rocket,<ref name=sn20160229/> by June 2018, the USAF had renegotiated the agreement with AR and decreased the Air Force contribution—5/6ths of the total cost—to {{USD|294 million}}. ARR put no additional private funds into the engine development effort after early 2018.<ref name=sn20180925/>
Vulcan was finally launched on 8 January 2024 ,. where theThe engines performed flawlessly , allowing rocket to propelpropelling [[Peregrine Mission One]] to [[Trans-lunar injection]]. Vulcan iswas the first methane -fueled rocket to reach orbit on its first attempt, and the first to reach orbit from the US.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=8 January 2024 |title=Nasa Peregrine 1 launch: Vulcan Centaur rocket carrying Nasa moon lander lifts off in Florida – live updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2024/jan/08/nasa-peregrine-1-launch-rocket-moon-latest-news-updates-live |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> ▼Bezos noted in 2016 that the Vulcan launch vehicle is being designed around the BE-4 engine; ULA switching to the AR1 would require significant delays and money on the part of ULA.<ref name=ft20160312/> This point had also been made by ULA executives, who clarified that the BE-4 is likely to cost 40% less than the AR1, as well as benefit from Bezos capacity to "make split-second investment decisions on behalf of BE-4, and has already demonstrated his determination to see it through. [whereas the] AR1, in contrast, depends mainly on U.S. government backing, meaning Aerojet Rocketdyne has many phone numbers to dial to win support".<ref name="sn20160317">{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=17 March 2016 |title=ULA VP resigns following remarks on company's competitive position, strategy |url=http://spacenews.com/ula-vp-resigns-following-remarks-on-companys-competitive-position-strategy/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20161218193022/http://spacenews.com/ula-vp-resigns-following-remarks-on-companys-competitive-position-strategy/ |archive-date=18 December 2016 |access-date=17 March 2016 |work=[[SpaceNews (publication)|SpaceNews]]}}</ref>
▲Vulcan was finally launched on 8 January 2024, where the engines performed flawlessly allowing rocket to propel [[Peregrine Mission One]] to [[Trans-lunar injection]]. Vulcan is the first methane fueled rocket to reach orbit on its first attempt, and the first to reach orbit from the US.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Belam |first=Martin |date=8 January 2024 |title=Nasa Peregrine 1 launch: Vulcan Centaur rocket carrying Nasa moon lander lifts off in Florida – live updates |url=https://www.theguardian.com/science/live/2024/jan/08/nasa-peregrine-1-launch-rocket-moon-latest-news-updates-live |access-date=8 January 2024 |work=the Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref>
=== New Glenn ===
{{main|New Glenn}}
The engineBE-4 is to be used on the Blue Origin large [[orbital spaceflight|orbital]] [[launch vehicle]]'s [[New Glenn]], a {{convert|23|ft|disp=flip|adj=on|sp=us}}-diameter [[multistage rocket|two-stage]] [[orbital spaceflight|orbital]] [[launch vehicle]] with an optional third stage. The first stage will be powered by seven BE-4 engines and ais planned to be [[Reusablereusable launch systemvehicle|reusable]], firstlanding stage[[VTVL|vertically]]. The [[flightsecond testing|firststage flightwill andhave orbitalthe test]]same isdiameter plannedand foruse notwo earlier[[BE-3]] thanvacuum-optimized late[[LH2/LOX]] 2022,engines.<ref>{{Cite namenews |date="spacenewsFe2021"29 />March although2018 the|title=Blue companyOrigin hadswitches earlierengines expectedfor theNew BEGlenn second stage |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-4origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ might|url-status=live be|archive-url=https://archive.today/20180329194940/http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ tested|archive-date=29 onMarch a2018 rocket|access-date=28 flightApril as2018 early|work=SpaceNews.com}}</ref> asThe 2020second stage will be [[expendable launch vehicle|expendable]].<ref name="nsf20160912" />
The first stage will be powered by seven BE-4 engines and will be [[reusable launch vehicle|reusable]], landing [[VTVL|vertically]]. The second stage of New Glenn will share the same diameter and use two [[BE-3]] vacuum-optimized [[LH2/LOX]] engines.<ref>{{Cite news |date=29 March 2018 |title=Blue Origin switches engines for New Glenn second stage |url=http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20180329194940/http://spacenews.com/blue-origin-switches-engines-for-new-glenn-second-stage/ |archive-date=29 March 2018 |access-date=28 April 2018 |work=SpaceNews.com}}</ref> The second stage will be [[expendable launch vehicle|expendable]].<ref name=nsf20160912/>
=== XS-1 ===
{{Further|XS-1 (spacecraft)}}
[[Boeing]] secured a contract to design and build the [[DARPA]] [[XS-1 (spacecraft)|XS-1]] reusable [[spaceplane]] in 2014. The XS-1 was to accelerate to [[hypersonic speed]] at the edge of the Earth's atmosphere to enable its payload to reach orbit.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2014 |title=Work Commences on Experimental Spaceplane (XS-1) Designs |url=http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2014-07-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161030212808/http://www.darpa.mil/news-events/2014-07-15 |archive-date=30 October 2016 |access-date=20 September 2016 |publisher=Darpa.mil}}</ref> In 2015, it was believed a modified derivative of the BE-4 engine was thought to power the craft.<ref>{{Cite web |last=David Axe |date=3 August 2015 |title=Pentagon Preps for Orbital War With New Spaceplane |url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/03/pentagon-preps-for-orbital-war-with-new-space-plane.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150804054537/http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2015/08/03/pentagon-preps-for-orbital-war-with-new-space-plane.html |archive-date=4 August 2015 |access-date=3 August 2015 |website=The Daily Beast}}</ref> In May 2017, the contract award selected the [[RS-25]]-derived [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] AR-22 engine instead.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 May 2017 |title=Aerojet Rocketdyne Selected As Main Propulsion Provider for Boeing and DARPA Experimental Spaceplane |url=http://www.rocket.com/article/aerojet-rocketdyne-selected-main-propulsion-provider-boeing-and-darpa-experimental |access-date=25 May 2017}}</ref> The XS-1 was cancelled in 2020.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jason Rhian |date=7 May 2017 |title=DARPA selects rocket engine for XS-1 experimental spaceplane |url=http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/defense/darpa-selects-rocket-engine-xs-1-experimental-spaceplane/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170627194741/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/defense/darpa-selects-rocket-engine-xs-1-experimental-spaceplane/ |archive-date=27 June 2017 |access-date=12 July 2017 |publisher=SpaceFlightInsider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=22 January 2020 |title=Boeing drops out of DARPA Experimental Spaceplane program |url=https://spacenews.com/boeing-drops-out-of-darpa-experimental-spaceplane-program/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200826055346/https://spacenews.com/boeing-drops-out-of-darpa-experimental-spaceplane-program/ |archive-date=26 August 2020 |access-date=2 July 2020 |website=SpaceNews.com |language=en-US}}</ref>
=== AvailabilityOrbital and useATK ===
Blue Origin has indicated that they intend to make the engine commercially available, once development is complete, to companies beyond ULA, and also plans to utilize the engine in Blue Origin's own new orbital launch vehicle.<ref name=tsr20140922/> As of March 2016, [[Orbital ATK]] was also evaluating Blue Origin engines for its launch vehicles, although they eventually went in another direction.<ref name="ars20160309" />{{update after|2018|4|7}}
== Technical specifications == ▼The BE-4 uses [[liquified natural gas]] rather than more commonly used rocket fuels such as [[RP-1|kerosene]]. This approach allows for [[autogenous pressurization]], which is the use of gasified propellant to pressurize liquid propellant. This is beneficial because it eliminates the need for pressurization systems that require the storage of a pressurizing gas, such as helium. ▼The BE-4 is a [[staged combustion cycle]] engine, with a single oxygen-rich [[preburner]], and a single turbine driving both the fuel and oxygen pumps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE-4 Engine |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/be-4/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> The cycle is similar to the kerosene-fueled [[RD-180]] currently used on the [[Atlas V]], although it uses only a single combustion chamber and nozzle. ▼
The BE-4 is designed for long life and high reliability, partially by aiming the engine to be a "medium-performing version of a high-performance architecture".<ref name= "ars20160309 " /> [[Hydrostatic bearing]]s are used in the [[turbopump]]s rather than the more typical [[ball bearing|ball]] and [[roller bearing]]s specifically to increase reliability and service life.<ref name="yf20170320">{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=20 March 2017 |title=Jeff Bezos does a deep dive into bearings in Blue Origin's BE-4 rocket engine update |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-does-deep-dive-002201040.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423102036/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-does-deep-dive-002201040.html |archive-date=23 April 2018 |access-date=23 April 2018 |work=[[Yahoo Finance]] |quote=[550,000 lbf thrust rocket engine] performance can involve a lot of wear and tear, particularly if you're using traditional ball and roller bearings. To maximize the engine's reusability, Blue Origin's team is taking a different approach. To keep the BE-4 running smoothly, Bezos says the turbine at the heart of the engine's turbopump will use a thin film of the fluid propellants as its bearings.}}</ref> ▼Although all early BE-4 components and full engines to support the test program were built at Blue's headquarters location in [[Kent, Washington]], production of the BE-4 will be in Huntsville, Alabama.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Emre Kelly |date=26 June 2017 |title=Blue Origin selects Alabama for rocket engine production, ending Florida's hopes |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/06/26/blue-origin-selects-huntsville-alabama-be-4-rocket-engine-production-florida/428796001/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326153031/https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/06/26/blue-origin-selects-huntsville-alabama-be-4-rocket-engine-production-florida/428796001/ |archive-date=26 March 2021 |access-date=12 July 2017 |publisher=Florida Today}}</ref> Testing and support of the reusable BE-4s will occur at the company's orbital launch facility at [[Exploration Park]] in [[Florida]], where Blue Origin is investing more than {{USD|200 million}} in facilities and improvements.<ref name="ft20160312">{{Cite news |last=Price |first=Wayne T. |date=12 March 2016 |title=Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could change the face of space travel |url=http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/03/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-amazon-space-exploration-brevard-county-florida/81649214/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180106065214/http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2016/03/12/jeff-bezos-blue-origin-amazon-space-exploration-brevard-county-florida/81649214/ |archive-date=6 January 2018 |access-date=13 March 2016 |work=[[Florida Today]]}}</ref>
▲The BE-4 usesUsing [[liquified natural gas ]] rather than more commonly used rocket fuels such as [[RP-1| kerosenemethane]] . This approach allows for [[autogenous pressurization]], which is the use of gasified propellant to pressurize liquid propellant. This is beneficial because it eliminates the need for pressurization systems that require the storage of a pressurizing gas , such as helium.
▲== Technical specifications ==
* Thrust (sea level): {{convert|550000|lbf|kN|disp=flip|lk=on|abbr=on}} at full power<ref name= "yf20170320 " /><ref name= "sn20140917 " /> ▼▲The BE-4 is a [[staged combustion cycle]] engine, with a single oxygen-rich [[preburner]], and a single turbine driving both the fuel and oxygen pumps.<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE-4 Engine |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/engines/be-4/ |access-date=7 February 2023 |website=Blue Origin}}</ref> The cycle is similar to the kerosene-fueled [[RD-180]] currently used on the [[Atlas V]], although it uses only a single combustion chamber and nozzle.
▲The BE-4 is designed for long life and high reliability, partially by aiming the engine to be a "medium-performing version of a high-performance architecture".<ref name=ars20160309/> [[Hydrostatic bearing]]s are used in the [[turbopump]]s rather than the more typical [[ball bearing|ball]] and [[roller bearing]]s specifically to increase reliability and service life.<ref name="yf20170320">{{Cite news |last=Boyle |first=Alan |date=20 March 2017 |title=Jeff Bezos does a deep dive into bearings in Blue Origin's BE-4 rocket engine update |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-does-deep-dive-002201040.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180423102036/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/jeff-bezos-does-deep-dive-002201040.html |archive-date=23 April 2018 |access-date=23 April 2018 |work=[[Yahoo Finance]] |quote=[550,000 lbf thrust rocket engine] performance can involve a lot of wear and tear, particularly if you're using traditional ball and roller bearings. To maximize the engine's reusability, Blue Origin's team is taking a different approach. To keep the BE-4 running smoothly, Bezos says the turbine at the heart of the engine's turbopump will use a thin film of the fluid propellants as its bearings.}}</ref>
▲* Thrust (sea level): {{convert|550000|lbf|kN|disp=flip|lk=on|abbr=on}} at full power<ref name=yf20170320/><ref name=sn20140917/>
<!-- *[[Rocket engine throttling|Throttle reduction]] capability: -->
* Chamber pressure: {{convert|1950|psi|MPa|disp=flip|abbr=on}}, substantially lower than the {{convert|3700|psi|MPa|disp=flip|abbr=on}} of the RD-180 engine that ULA wants to replace<ref name="ars20160309" />
* Designed for reusability — up to 100 flights and landings<ref name="ars20160309" /><ref name="yf20170320" /><ref>{{Cite tweet |number=1011193080865648641 |user=CHenry_QA |title=Correction from Ariane: New Glenn first stage can do 25 missions, BE-4 engines designed for 100 flights each.<!-- full text of tweet that Twitter returned to the bot (excluding links) added by TweetCiteBot. This may be better truncated or may need expanding (TW limits responses to 140 characters) or case changes. --> |date=25 June 2018 |access-date=27 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210326153019/https://twitter.com/CHenry_QA/status/1011193080865648641 |archive-date=26 March 2021}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=June 2020}}<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sheetz |first=Michael |date=18 April 2018 |title=Blue Origin's new rocket engine will be able to launch '100 full missions', CEO says |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/blue-origin-ceo-bob-smith-be-4-will-be-able-to-launch-100-missions.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527132002/https://www.cnbc.com/2018/04/18/blue-origin-ceo-bob-smith-be-4-will-be-able-to-launch-100-missions.html |archive-date=27 May 2019 |access-date=27 May 2019 |publisher=CNBC}}</ref>
* Relightable in-flight via head-pressure start of the turbine during coast<ref name="sn20160316" />
* Deep throttling capability to 40% power or lower<ref>{{Cite web |title=BE-4 Engine test: 65% power level and 114 seconds – YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180928235910/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fp0WgodhR7s |archive-date=28 September 2018 |access-date=14 March 2018 |website=[[YouTube]]}}</ref>
== See also ==
* [[Comparison of orbital rocket engines]] ▼* [[BE-3]] – hydrogen-fueled engine currently in operation by Blue Origin
* [[SpaceX Raptor|Raptor]] – methane-fueled engine developed by SpaceX
* [[Merlin (rocket engine family)|Merlin]] – kerosene-fueled operational engine by SpaceX
* [[RD-180]] – modern Russian kerosene-fueled engine of comparable size
▲* [[Comparison of orbital rocket engines]]
== References ==
| 