Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is poised for its inaugural launch, competing directly with SpaceX in the orbital market. The mission will test a spacecraft funded by the US Department of Defense, enhancing the rivalry between Bezos and Musk in commercial space exploration.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's company Blue Origin is poised to launch its first orbital rocket next week, marking a pivotal moment in the commercial space race currently dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Beachside spectators have monitored the rocket and Launch Complex 36 pre-launch activities on the horizon for weeks, including a Dec. 27 hot-fire test.

A rocket is expected to be launched at a launchpad in Florida that has been inactive for almost two decades. A new rocket about 98 meters long, developed by Blue Origin, is being prepared for the first flight,

The company, owned by the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, also received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the vehicle to orbit.

A Blue Origin New Glenn test rocket was upended on the pad for the first time in February at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Mission: Blue Origin will launch its powerhouse New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This first launch will send NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars. Location: Launch Complex 36.

Blue Origin put its orbital-class New Glenn rocket through its last major test in preparation for the rocket's first-ever launch.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is headed to space after being given the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The FAA on Friday issued Blue Origin a Part 450 commercial space launch license, authorizing the first launch of its reusable rocket, New Glenn.