Blue Origin, the space venture founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos, is lifting the curtain just a bit on its future plans for rocket engines and spaceflights.
One of the revelations relates to progress on its methane-fueled BE-4 rocket engine, which is on track to provide propulsion for United Launch Alliance’s next-generation Vulcan rocket. Blue Origin tweeted out a picture of the engine’s bell, most likely taken at the company’s production facility in Kent, Wash.:
BE-4 forgings, assemble! Full engine testing later this year to support @ulalaunch Vulcan 1st flight in 2019. pic.twitter.com/BwRX3tmL2X
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) February 2, 2016
