New Glenn forward module validation test - Reaction Control System thrusters and four steering fins

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[ video & text : Dave Limp / Blue Origin ]

This forward module validation test is fun to see. Our four fins on New Glenn are about the size of a car—roughly 16 feet long at the base and sticking out 6.5 feet from the body of the rocket. They’re responsible for steering the rocket on ascent and descent. Most of the structure is aluminum, which is protected from reentry heating by a durable fabric thermal protection system we invented and refer to internally as ‘Comet.’ The aerodynamic forces pushing on the fin during flight are roughly equal to the weight of a 737 aircraft.

Another quick one. This is our Reaction Control System thrusters firing. This system corrects New Glenn's orientation in zero-g and just before landing on our vessel at sea. Together, the thrusters and the forward fins I mentioned earlier are essential to the booster's reusability.