Blue Origin Says Northstar Could Cost 25% as Much as BE-4
Photo: TokenPost
Blue Origin has begun test firings of Northstar, which will eventually replace BE-4 on New Glenn, while the company estimates the new engine could cost 25% as much to manufacture. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp put Northstar’s starting thrust at 715,000 pounds, compared with 640,000 pounds for BE-4. Northstar burns methane and liquid oxygen, the same propellants used by BE-4. Its propulsion system also retains BE-4’s oxygen-rich staged-combustion process and single-shaft turbopump layout. Blue Origin describes Northstar as a simplified design.
Source: TokenPost
