After years of anticipation,blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket finaly soared into the skies on Thursday,marking a meaningful milestone for itS founder,Jeff bezos,the world’s second-richest person. This launch represents a pivotal step in Bezos’s quest to compete with Elon musk’s SpaceX, though Musk’s company still holds a considerable lead in the space race. But what exactly sets these two visionaries apart?
Bezos’s fascination with space exploration traces back to 1969, when, as a five-year-old, he watched NASA astronauts land on the moon. By high school, he had already decided to become a “space entrepreneur.” In a recent interview, Bezos emphasized the importance of New Glenn, stating, “All the things we want to do in the future are based on New Glenn.” Standing at nearly 98 meters tall, this rocket is designed for reusable flights, aiming to carry commercial and national security satellites into orbit. The long-term vision? Transporting human crews into space.
Elon Musk, too, was captivated by space from a young age. At just 12, he programmed and sold a space-themed video game called Blastar. This passion eventually led to the founding of SpaceX in 2002, when Musk was 31. His aspiring goal? To colonize Mars by 2050. According to astronautics expert Dušan Majer, this timeline isn’t far-fetched. “If we’re talking about when a human foot will set foot on Mars, it won’t be before 2030. But if everything goes well, 2050 is a realistic target,” Majer explains.
The two billionaires, however, approach innovation very differently. SpaceX is known for its rapid, trial-and-error methodology. “They believe the true essence of a rocket’s performance is revealed during flight,” Majer notes. “Simulations don’t have to be perfect. Even failed launches provide invaluable data for future improvements.” This approach has allowed SpaceX to advance at an notable pace, though it’s not without risks.
In contrast, Blue Origin adopts a more cautious strategy, reminiscent of NASA’s conventional methods. ”Blue Origin spends years testing hardware and running simulations before attempting a launch,” Majer says. “They only proceed when they’re confident in the rocket’s success.” This meticulous readiness ensures reliability but can slow progress compared to SpaceX’s rapid iterations.
SpaceX’s recent achievements underscore its dominance in the industry. the company’s Falcon rockets have carried more cargo into orbit than all other national space agencies and private companies combined. Additionally, the Dragon spacecraft, launched by Falcon rockets, transports supplies and astronauts to the International Space Station. Meanwhile, SpaceX is currently testing its Starship spacecraft, aiming for orbital flights with its Super Heavy carrier.
Reusability is a shared goal for both companies. Musk achieved this milestone in 2015, successfully landing a Falcon 9 booster. Bezos, however, has yet to replicate this feat. Still, the recent New Glenn launch is seen as a success. ”No one expected the first stage to land safely on an ocean platform on the first attempt. The goals were set very high,” says science popularizer Jan Spratek.
Blue Origin’s potential is further validated by its 2023 contract with NASA to develop a lunar landing module for future moon missions. New Glenn is expected to play a crucial role in these endeavors. Moreover, U.S. government officials have expressed interest in New Glenn’s regular flights, hoping to reduce reliance on SpaceX. As the space race heats up, the question remains: Who will emerge as the ultimate winner? For now, the answer lies among the stars.
