T+64: BE-4 Fires Up, and Some Thoughts on the Future of Commercial and Military Launch

Blue Origin fired up their BE-4 engine for the first time, which is a big moment. And I share some meandering thoughts on the future of commercial and military launch.

This episode of Main Engine Cut Off is brought to you by 22 executive producers—Kris, Mike, Pat, Matt, Jorge, Brad, Ryan, Jamison, Guinevere, Nadim, Peter, Donald, Lee, Jasper, Chris, Warren, Robert, and five anonymous—and 95 other supporters on Patreon.

• Blue Origin on Twitter: “First hotfire of our BE-4 engine is a success #GradatimFerociter”


• Blue Origin just sent a jolt through the aerospace industry | Ars Technica


• Tory Bruno on Twitter: “@WeHaveMECO CDR in December. Tooling is the factory. First hardware in fab. pad mods underway”


• Tory Bruno on Twitter: “@IanPineapple @WeHaveMECO Cape pad will be backwards compatible. VAFB may not need that”


• Email your thoughts and comments to [email protected]


• Follow @WeHaveMECO


• Listen to MECO Headlines


• Join the MECO Discord


• Subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Overcast, Pocket Casts, Google Play, Stitcher, TuneIn or elsewhere


• Subscribe to the Main Engine Cut Off Newsletter


• Buy shirts and Rocket Socks from the Main Engine Cut Off Shop


• Support Main Engine Cut Off on Patreon