New Glenn’s size compared to Starship is a frequent question, and on COMPARE.EDU.VN, we provide a detailed comparison. SpaceX’s Starship is significantly larger than Blue Origin’s New Glenn, offering greater payload capacity but both represent cutting-edge advancements in reusable rocket technology. For those seeking a comprehensive analysis, keep reading to explore their dimensions, capabilities, and the implications for future space missions, ultimately aiding informed decisions.
1. New Glenn vs Starship: Specs Comparison
To truly understand “How Big Is New Glenn Compared To Starship,” let’s start with a side-by-side specification comparison.
| Specifications | Starship | New Glenn |
|---|---|---|
| Developer | SpaceX | Blue Origin |
| Purpose | Interplanetary flights, including to Mars and the Moon | Orbital cargo transfer |
| Height | 121 m | 98 m |
| Diameter | 9 m | 7 m |
| Stages | 2 | 2 |
| Payload capacity | 100 — 150 t orbit dependent (reusable version), 250 t (expendable version) | 45 ton to LEO, 13 ton to GTO |
| Engines | Super Heavy booster — 33 SpaceX Raptor-2 (CH4/LOX)Starship spacecraft — 3 Raptor-2, 3 Raptor Vacuum (CH4/LOX) | 1st stage — BE-4 х 7(CH4/LOX)2nd stage Jarvis —BE-3U х 2 (LH2/LOX) |
| Reuse | Both stages | First stage only |
| Production cost (till now) (USD) | 5 billion | 2.5 billion |
| Cost per launch, USD | 2 million | TBA |
| First commercial launch date | 2025 | November 2024 |
This table provides a clear overview of the key differences and similarities between these two rockets.
2. Starship vs New Glenn: The Battle for Space
The rivalry between Blue Origin and SpaceX represents two distinct approaches to space exploration. SpaceX initially focused on orbital cargo delivery, while Blue Origin leaned towards space tourism. Now, both companies are converging, aiming to deliver cargo and astronauts to not only near-Earth orbits but also destinations like the Moon and Mars. Understanding this context is crucial when considering, “how big is New Glenn compared to Starship” in the broader space race.
Jeff Bezos, CEO of Blue Origin, named New Glenn after John Glenn, the first American astronaut to orbit the Earth. Blue Origin announced its plans for an orbital launch vehicle in September 2015, two years before SpaceX.
So, how do New Glenn and Starship stack up against each other in this battle for space supremacy?
3. New Glenn vs. Starship: Size Comparison
Alt Text: Size comparison of SpaceX’s Starship, Blue Origin’s New Glenn, and the Statue of Liberty, highlighting the immense scale of these next-generation rockets.
Visually comparing New Glenn and Starship reveals significant differences. Starship dwarfs both New Glenn and the Statue of Liberty. Starship is 22 meters taller than New Glenn and has a 2-meter wider diameter (9 meters vs. 7 meters). However, the Starship spacecraft itself is 50 meters tall, while the Super Heavy booster accounts for the remaining 70 meters.
SpaceX plans to offer Starship in multiple configurations, including:
- Starship Cargo
- Starship Lunar Lander
- Starship Tanker (for in-space refueling)
New Glenn, on the other hand, offers a standard two or three-stage configuration with a payload fairing up to 22 meters high.
3.1. Dimensions in Detail: New Glenn vs. Starship
Understanding the specific dimensions of New Glenn and Starship is key to grasping the scale of these rockets. The height difference of 22 meters is significant, making Starship noticeably larger. The wider diameter of Starship also contributes to its larger overall volume.
3.2. Visualizing the Size Difference
Imagine the Statue of Liberty standing next to these rockets. Starship would tower over it, while New Glenn would be closer in height but still significantly taller. This visual comparison helps to appreciate the sheer size and ambition of these projects.
4. Is Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket More Powerful Than SpaceX’s Starship?
Alt Text: Side-by-side visual comparison of the SpaceX Starship and Blue Origin New Glenn rockets, emphasizing their size and design differences in the context of launch vehicle capabilities.
No, New Glenn is not more powerful than Starship. While New Glenn can carry 45 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and 13 tons to Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO), this is less than the Falcon Heavy’s capacity. The question then arises: why is New Glenn so much larger than Falcon Heavy but with less payload capacity? The answer lies in the engines.
4.1. Payload Capacity Compared
Starship significantly outperforms New Glenn in terms of payload capacity. Starship can carry between 100 and 150 tons in its reusable version and up to 250 tons in its expendable version.
4.2. Understanding Payload Capacity
Payload capacity refers to the maximum weight that a rocket can carry into orbit. This is a critical factor in determining the rocket’s capabilities and its suitability for different missions.
5. Starship vs New Glenn Engine Comparison
The Falcon Heavy’s payload advantage stems from its side boosters and more powerful engines. The Falcon Heavy has 27 Merlin 1D liquid engines, each producing 852 kN of thrust at sea level. New Glenn’s first stage has seven BE-4 engines with 2400 kN of thrust each, and its second stage has two BE-3U engines with 1100 kN of thrust each. This gives the Falcon Heavy a total thrust of 23,000 kN compared to New Glenn’s 19,000 kN. However, Starship surpasses both, equipped with 39 Raptor 2 engines of 2000 kN thrust each (33 in the first stage, 6 in the second), enabling it to handle a payload of up to 150 tons.
5.1. Engine Technology and Thrust
Engine technology is a key differentiator between these rockets. The Raptor 2 engines on Starship are more advanced and provide significantly higher thrust than the BE-4 and BE-3U engines on New Glenn.
5.2. Thrust-to-Weight Ratio
The thrust-to-weight ratio is another important factor in determining a rocket’s performance. Starship’s higher thrust-to-weight ratio allows it to lift heavier payloads and achieve higher altitudes.
6. So Is Starship the Most Powerful Rocket?
Yes, Starship is the most powerful rocket among Falcon Heavy, New Glenn, and Starship. Its superior engine technology and greater number of engines give it a significant advantage in terms of payload capacity and overall performance.
6.1. Power Ranking: Starship, New Glenn, and Falcon Heavy
- Starship: The most powerful, with the highest payload capacity and advanced engine technology.
- Falcon Heavy: A powerful rocket with significant payload capacity, thanks to its side boosters and multiple engines.
- New Glenn: A large rocket with a respectable payload capacity, but less powerful than Starship and Falcon Heavy.
6.2. The Future of Rocket Power
The development of these powerful rockets is paving the way for more ambitious space missions, including lunar and Martian exploration.
7. New Glenn vs. Starship: Reusability
Reusability is a crucial factor affecting launch costs. SpaceX promises that both stages of Starship will be reusable, while Blue Origin states that the New Glenn will have a reusable first stage, with a planned reuse of up to 25 times. SpaceX’s Falcon 9 statistics show that the same first stage has been used up to 11 times.
7.1. The Importance of Reusability
Reusability significantly reduces the cost of space launches, making space exploration more accessible and affordable.
7.2. Reusability Technologies
Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are developing advanced technologies to enable rocket reusability, including landing systems and heat shields.
Alt Text: A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket successfully lands on a drone ship after completing its mission, showcasing the company’s reusable rocket technology and commitment to reducing space travel costs.
8. What Will Fly First, Starship or New Glenn?
This is a race against time. On October 13, 2024, SpaceX demonstrated its progress with a successful test where the Starship Super Heavy first stage was caught by the launch tower’s “chopsticks” seven minutes after launch, while the upper Starship stage reached suborbital space. On October 22, SpaceX announced that Super Heavy had returned to Starbase for its sixth scheduled test flight. SpaceX’s Starship is steadily approaching its first commercial flight, potentially in the first half of 2025.
Blue Origin, taking a more cautious approach, successfully tested the New Glenn’s upper stage on September 26, 2024, and is preparing for a NASA demonstration mission to test its Blue Ring orbital transport vehicle. This launch is scheduled for November 2024.
Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President for New Glenn at Blue Origin, stated on September 16, “We’ll have a launch-ready rocket next month. We’re launching in 2024.” Whether Blue Origin’s New Glenn will launch before SpaceX’s Starship remains to be seen.
8.1. The Race to Launch
The competition between SpaceX and Blue Origin to be the first to launch their next-generation rockets is intense. Both companies are pushing the boundaries of space technology and innovation.
8.2. The Significance of the First Launch
Being the first to launch would provide a significant competitive advantage, demonstrating technological leadership and securing valuable contracts.
9. New Glenn vs. Starship: Mission Objectives
Starship is designed for interplanetary travel, with the goal of transporting humans and cargo to Mars and the Moon. New Glenn, on the other hand, is primarily focused on orbital cargo transfer.
9.1. Interplanetary Travel vs. Orbital Cargo Transfer
Starship’s mission objectives are far more ambitious than New Glenn’s, reflecting SpaceX’s long-term vision for space exploration.
9.2. The Role of Each Rocket in the Future of Space Exploration
Both Starship and New Glenn will play important roles in the future of space exploration, but Starship is likely to have a greater impact due to its interplanetary capabilities.
10. Financial Aspects: Cost of Development and Launch
The production cost of Starship is currently around $5 billion, while New Glenn’s production cost is $2.5 billion. The estimated cost per launch for Starship is $2 million, while the cost per launch for New Glenn is yet to be determined.
10.1. Investment in Space Technology
The significant investments in Starship and New Glenn reflect the growing importance of space technology and the potential for future economic returns.
10.2. The Economics of Space Travel
The cost of space travel is a major barrier to wider participation. Reusability and other cost-reduction measures are essential for making space exploration more affordable.
11. May the Best Rocket Win
The space race in the 21st century prioritizes speed, affordability, and reliability. While SpaceX currently leads, the competition is fierce. Securing NASA’s trust means securing multibillion-dollar contracts for lunar and Martian missions, solidifying a company’s technical leadership.
11.1. The Spirit of Competition
The competition between SpaceX and Blue Origin is driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space exploration.
11.2. The Future of Space Exploration
The future of space exploration is bright, with both Starship and New Glenn poised to play significant roles in humanity’s journey to the stars.
12. New Glenn vs. Starship: Environmental Impact
The environmental impact of rocket launches is a growing concern. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are taking steps to minimize the environmental impact of their rockets, including using cleaner fuels and developing reusable technologies.
12.1. Sustainable Space Exploration
Sustainable space exploration is essential for protecting the environment and ensuring the long-term viability of space travel.
12.2. The Role of Technology in Reducing Environmental Impact
Technology can play a key role in reducing the environmental impact of rocket launches, including the development of cleaner fuels and more efficient engines.
13. New Glenn vs. Starship: Safety Considerations
Safety is paramount in space exploration. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are committed to ensuring the safety of their rockets and the people who will fly on them.
13.1. Risk Management in Space Travel
Risk management is a critical aspect of space travel. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin have rigorous safety protocols in place to minimize the risks associated with rocket launches and space missions.
13.2. The Importance of Safety
Safety is the top priority in space exploration. No mission is worth risking human lives or the environment.
14. New Glenn vs. Starship: Public Perception and Support
Public perception and support are essential for the success of space exploration. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are working to engage the public and build support for their missions.
14.1. The Power of Public Engagement
Public engagement can play a key role in building support for space exploration and inspiring the next generation of scientists and engineers.
14.2. The Future of Space Exploration
The future of space exploration depends on continued public support and investment.
15. New Glenn vs. Starship: International Collaboration
International collaboration is essential for the success of space exploration. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are working with international partners to advance their missions.
15.1. The Benefits of International Collaboration
International collaboration can bring together the best minds and resources from around the world to tackle the challenges of space exploration.
15.2. The Future of Space Exploration
The future of space exploration will be shaped by international collaboration and cooperation.
16. New Glenn vs. Starship: The Human Element
Ultimately, space exploration is about people. Both SpaceX and Blue Origin are committed to enabling human spaceflight and expanding humanity’s reach into the cosmos.
16.1. The Human Spirit of Exploration
The human spirit of exploration is what drives us to push the boundaries of what is possible and venture into the unknown.
16.2. The Future of Space Exploration
The future of space exploration will be shaped by the dreams and aspirations of the people who are working to make it a reality.
17. FAQ: New Glenn vs. Starship
Here are some frequently asked questions about New Glenn and Starship:
Q1: How big is New Glenn compared to Starship in terms of height?
Starship is 121 meters tall, while New Glenn is 98 meters tall. Starship is 23 meters taller.
Q2: Which rocket has a greater payload capacity, New Glenn or Starship?
Starship has a greater payload capacity, capable of carrying 100-150 tons in its reusable version and up to 250 tons in its expendable version, compared to New Glenn’s 45 tons to LEO.
Q3: Are both stages of New Glenn reusable?
No, only the first stage of New Glenn is designed to be reusable.
Q4: How many engines does Starship have?
Starship is equipped with 39 Raptor 2 engines. 33 in the first stage and 6 in the second stage.
Q5: What is the primary mission objective of Starship?
Starship is designed for interplanetary travel, with the goal of transporting humans and cargo to Mars and the Moon.
Q6: What is the estimated cost per launch for Starship?
The estimated cost per launch for Starship is $2 million.
Q7: Which company developed New Glenn?
Blue Origin developed New Glenn.
Q8: When is the expected first commercial launch date for Starship?
The expected first commercial launch date for Starship is 2025.
Q9: What type of engines does New Glenn use?
New Glenn uses BE-4 engines in its first stage and BE-3U engines in its second stage.
Q10: Is Starship considered the most powerful rocket currently in development?
Yes, Starship is considered the most powerful rocket currently in development, surpassing Falcon Heavy and New Glenn.
18. Conclusion: Choosing the Right Rocket
Deciding between New Glenn and Starship depends on the specific mission requirements. Starship offers greater payload capacity and interplanetary capabilities, while New Glenn focuses on orbital cargo transfer. Ultimately, both rockets represent significant advancements in space technology.
18.1. COMPARE.EDU.VN: Your Source for Space Exploration Insights
At COMPARE.EDU.VN, we understand the complexities of comparing cutting-edge technologies like New Glenn and Starship. Our goal is to provide you with clear, concise, and objective comparisons to help you make informed decisions.
18.2. Call to Action
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