HUNTSVILLE — Blue Origin has delivered two rocket engines to United Launch Alliance’s factory in Decatur that will be used in 2023 for the first launch of ULA’s next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket.
The BE-4 engines are manufactured in Kent, Wash., and in Huntsville at Blue Origin’s factory in Cummings Research Park. They are tested in West Texas and at the historic 4670 Test Stand at the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville.
This state-of-the-art engine provides 550,000 pounds of thrust and will end reliance on Russian engines and power a new generation of U.S. launch vehicles. Dozens of these engines are now in production to support a large and growing demand for civil, commercial, and defense launches.
“We’re excited to see ULA’s Vulcan fly,” said Bob Smith, CEO at Blue Origin. “The BE-4 is a great engine, and we’re proud of Team Blue for achieving this milestone as part of ULA’s team. It’s been a wonderful partnership, and this shipset is the first of many more to come.”
Blue Origin’s BE-4 is the most powerful liquid natural gas fueled, oxygen-rich staged combustion engine made in the U.S., powering the next generation of rocket launch vehicles.
“We are very pleased to receive the first two engines for Vulcan’s inaugural flight,” said Tory Bruno, ULA president and CEO. “Development of this new engine is complete, and the performance of the engine is outstanding.
“It has been a great team effort working together with our partners at Blue Origin and we can’t wait to see Vulcan fly.”
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