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Blue Moon > Propulsion System

The Blue Moon lunar lander, developed by Blue Origin Enterprises, L.P., represents a significant technological advancement in lunar exploration. A pivotal element of the Blue Moon lander is its advanced propulsion system, featuring the BE-7 engine.

BE-7 Engine

The BE-7 engine is a cutting-edge liquid oxygen/liquid hydrogen rocket engine designed specifically for deep space maneuvers and lunar landings. Unveiled in May 2019, the BE-7 supports thrust levels up to 10,000 pounds-force and can be throttled down to 2,000 pounds-force. This turbomachinery-based engine is critical for the precise landing capabilities required by NASA's Artemis program.

Development and Testing

The development of the BE-7 has been a collaborative effort involving NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center. Testing began in June 2019, and the engine has accumulated over 1,245 seconds of runtime. This rigorous testing ensures that the BE-7 can perform the complex maneuvers necessary for lunar descent and other mission-critical activities.

Applications

For the Human Landing System (HLS) program, the BE-7 engine plays a crucial role in both the descent stage and the transfer element. The descent stage, derived from Blue Origin's Blue Moon concept, utilizes the BE-7 for landing operations on the lunar surface. Meanwhile, the transfer element—developed by Northrop Grumman and based on the Cygnus spacecraft—uses the BE-7 to maneuver from a highly elliptical near-rectilinear halo orbit around the Moon to a lower lunar orbit.

Zero-Boil-Off System

Complementing the BE-7 engine is a solar-powered propellant boiloff mitigation mechanism, which enables long-term storage of cryogenic propellants such as liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen at temperatures as low as 20 K (-253 °C; -424 °F). This zero-boil-off system is essential for maintaining the efficiency of the BE-7 engine during extended missions, allowing the Blue Moon lander to loiter in orbit or on the lunar surface for prolonged periods.

Integration with New Glenn

The New Glenn launch vehicle, also developed by Blue Origin, is designed to carry the Blue Moon lander. Named after John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit Earth, New Glenn is a heavy-lift launch vehicle capable of supporting both two-stage and three-stage configurations. The Blue Moon lander is designed to fit within the 7-meter payload fairing of New Glenn, ensuring seamless integration for launch and deployment.

Collaborative Efforts

The Blue Moon project is a collaborative endeavor led by Blue Origin, with contributions from Lockheed Martin, Draper, and Northrop Grumman. Lockheed Martin is responsible for the ascent stage, which is partially based on its Orion crew capsule. Draper provides guidance and navigation systems, while Northrop Grumman focuses on the transfer stage. This consortium aims to develop a robust and versatile lunar lander capable of supporting both crewed and uncrewed missions.

Future Missions

Blue Moon's propulsion system is not only pivotal for the HLS program but also for future missions involving lunar cargo delivery. The cargo variant of the lander is designed to carry up to 20 metric tons (44,000 pounds) to the lunar surface in a reusable configuration, or 30 metric tons (66,000 pounds) in a one-way mission. This versatility makes Blue Moon an integral part of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

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By integrating state-of-the-art propulsion technology with collaborative expertise, Blue Origin's Blue Moon lander is poised to play a critical role in the next era of lunar exploration.

Blue Moon

The Blue Moon lander is a pivotal component of Blue Origin's mission to establish sustainable human presence on the Moon. Designed to provide both cargo and crew access to the lunar surface, the Blue Moon lander represents a significant leap in lunar exploration technology.

Key Technologies

Central to the development of the Blue Moon lander is its ability to support both crewed and uncrewed missions. The lander can deliver up to 20,000 kilograms (44,000 pounds) to the lunar surface in a reusable configuration or 30,000 kilograms (66,000 pounds) in a one-way mission. This capacity makes it suitable for a variety of mission profiles, from delivering scientific instruments to supporting human expeditions.

One of the critical technologies under development by Blue Origin is a solar-powered propellant boiloff mitigation system. This system is essential for the long-term storage of cryogenic propellants like liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen, which need to be kept at temperatures as low as 20 Kelvin (-253 °C; -424 °F). This capability ensures that the lander can remain operational and ready for extended durations in the harsh lunar environment.

Missions and Collaborations

The Blue Moon lander is integral to NASA's Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and eventually pave the way for human missions to Mars. Blue Origin has been tasked with designing, developing, testing, and verifying the Blue Moon lander to meet NASA's stringent human landing system requirements. This includes compatibility with the Lunar Gateway, a planned space station that will facilitate crew transfers in lunar orbit.

In addition to NASA's Artemis program, Blue Origin's lander will host missions launched by a variety of vehicles, including its own New Glenn rocket, the Atlas V rocket, the NASA's Space Launch System, or the Vulcan launch vehicle from United Launch Alliance.

Strategic Importance

The Blue Moon lander's development exemplifies a strategic move towards increasing competition and reducing costs in the space industry. By introducing another capable human landing system, NASA can achieve a regular cadence of lunar landings, further investing in the lunar economy. This approach aligns with Blue Origin CEO Jeff Bezos' vision of building the Blue Moon lander with private funding, while also accelerating the project through collaboration with governmental space agencies.

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Key Technologies and Missions of Blue Origin

Key Technologies

Blue Origin is renowned for its cutting-edge technologies, primarily its rocket engines and spacecraft designs. Among its pivotal developments are the BE-3 and BE-4 engines.

BE-3 Rocket Engine

The BE-3 is a liquid hydrogen/liquid oxygen rocket engine. The development of this engine began in the early 2010s, emphasizing a reusable engine design suitable for vertical takeoffs and landings. The BE-3 is used in the New Shepard suborbital vehicle, facilitating both manned and cargo missions. Its innovative design allows for deep throttling, enabling precise control during landing missions.

BE-4 Rocket Engine

The BE-4 is a liquid rocket engine that uses an oxygen-rich, liquefied methane fuel and operates on a staged combustion cycle. This engine is significant due to its role in the New Glenn launch vehicle and collaborations with other aerospace entities, such as ULA for the Vulcan Centaur rocket. The BE-4 represents a shift towards more cost-effective, reusable engines that support different mission profiles, including launches to geostationary transfer orbit and beyond.

New Glenn

The New Glenn is a heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to have a partially reusable two-stage design. Designed for a wide array of missions, New Glenn aims to provide robust capabilities for launching payloads to orbit, supporting commercial, civil, and national security objectives. The rocket launches from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, with future missions planned from Vandenberg Space Force Base.

Blue Moon Spacecraft

The Blue Moon is a lunar lander developed by a consortium led by Blue Origin. The project includes partnerships with Lockheed Martin, Draper, Boeing, Astrobotic, and Honeybee Robotics. Blue Moon is designed for missions to the lunar surface, supporting both crewed and uncrewed missions to aid in NASA's Artemis program.

Missions

Blue Origin's commitment to space travel is evident in its diverse array of missions, primarily conducted through the New Shepard suborbital vehicle.

New Shepard Missions

Suborbital Space Tourism

The New Shepard rocket has been central to Blue Origin's space tourism ambitions. Notable missions include Blue Origin NS-16 and Blue Origin NS-18, which carried the first customers and celebrities like William Shatner into space. These missions have demonstrated the viability of suborbital space tourism, offering a new dimension of commercial spaceflight.

Scientific and Cargo Missions

In addition to space tourism, the New Shepard has undertaken numerous scientific and cargo missions. Missions such as Blue Origin NS-17 and Blue Origin NS-23 have facilitated experiments in microgravity, contributing to scientific advancements across various fields. These missions provide a platform for researchers to test equipment and conduct experiments in a near-space environment.

Lunar and Orbital Ambitions

In collaboration with NASA and other agencies, Blue Origin aims to contribute to lunar exploration through the Blue Moon project. Furthermore, the development of the New Glenn rocket underpins its future orbital missions, which will expand payload capabilities and support a broader range of commercial and scientific objectives.

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Blue Origin

Blue Origin Enterprises, L.P. is a pioneering American space technology company headquartered in Kent, Washington. Founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the company has steadily made its mark in the realm of space exploration and space tourism through the development and operation of innovative launch vehicles and rocket engines.

New Shepard Program

The New Shepard is a fully reusable suborbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism. Named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut to travel into space, New Shepard has been central to Blue Origin's mission to make space travel more accessible. The program achieved a significant milestone in 2015 with the first successful uncrewed launch and landing, showcasing the potential for reusable rocket technology.

In 2021, Blue Origin celebrated the New Shepard’s first crewed mission, with founder Jeff Bezos on board. This mission successfully crossed the Kármán line, widely recognized as the boundary of space, situated at 100 kilometers (62 miles) above sea level.

New Glenn Rocket

The New Glenn is Blue Origin's heavy-lift launch vehicle designed to revolutionize access to orbit. It is a partially reusable, two-stage rocket intended for a variety of missions, from launching satellites to supporting interplanetary exploration. New Glenn represents another leap in Blue Origin's efforts to establish a robust presence in the commercial spaceflight industry.

Rocket Engine Development

Blue Origin also excels in the development of advanced rocket engines. The BE-4 rocket engine, for example, is a pivotal component of Blue Origin's technological advancements. In January 2023, the company marked a significant achievement by delivering its first BE-4 engine to United Launch Alliance, where it is used in their Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle.

Facilities and Infrastructure

Blue Origin operates several development, manufacturing, and test facilities across the United States, including in Washington, Texas, and Florida. These facilities are instrumental in supporting their diverse range of projects, from the New Shepard to the New Glenn rockets.

Challenges and Criticism

Despite its achievements, Blue Origin has faced criticism for its pace of development, particularly when compared with competitors like SpaceX. Nevertheless, its contributions to the field of reusable rocket technology and space tourism have been noteworthy.

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