New Glenn is capable of carrying 50 tons (45 metric tons) of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO). SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, which also features reusable first stage boosters, can lift around 70 tons (64 metric tons) to LEO.

Blue Origin is counting down to the launch of its New Glenn rocket on an orbital mission that's been more than a decade in the making.

Blue Origin launched its New Glenn rocket into orbit on Thursday at 1:03 a.m. CST from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.