---
title: "Blue Origin Test Fires Moon Lander Engine For the First Time"
description: "Jeff Bezos-led Blue Origin just fired up its gigantic Moon lander engine for the first time at NSA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama."
date: "2019-06-20"
modified: "2019-06-20"
authors:
  - name: "Victor Tangermann"
    job_title: "Senior Editor"
    link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor"
url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/blue-origin-blue-moon-lander-engine-test-fire"
categories:
  - "Astronomy"
  - "Blue Origin"
  - "Moon"
  - "Space"
tags:
  - "blue moon"
  - "blue origin"
  - "lunar lander"
  - "NASA"
  - "the digest"
---

# Blue Origin Test Fires Moon Lander Engine For the First Time

![Jeff Bezos-led Blue Origin just fired up its gigantic Moon lander engine for the first time at NSA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.](<https://futurism.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/blue-origin-blue-moon-lander-engine-test-fire.jpg>)
*\<em\>Image: Blue Origin\</em\>*

## "Data Looks Great"

Jeff Bezos-led Blue Origin just fired up its gigantic BE-7 Moon lander engine for the first time at NSA's Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. The test signifies a big step forward for the private space company's efforts to land on the Moon.

"Data looks great and hardware is in perfect condition," Bezos tweeted. "Test went full planned duration — 35 seconds."

The BE-7 engine runs on liquid oxygen and hydrogen, both of which are resources that could potentially be mined one day on the surface of the Moon. The engine will allow the lander to softly touch down on surface of the Earth's natural satellite.

https://twitter.com/JeffBezos/status/1141520394022576128

## Blue Moon

Blue Origin [revealed its long-awaited plans](<https://futurism.com/blue-origin-moon-lander>) to go to the Moon at a mysterious press event in May. At the event, the company revealed a brand new design of its "Blue Moon" lander, designed to carry 6.54 tons of cargo and astronauts.

It's still far too early to tell whether U.S. astronauts will be getting a ride inside a Blue Moon provided by Blue Origin.

We'll find out soon. NASA is planning to chose one or more companies later this year.

**READ MORE:** [Blue Origin fires up the engine of its future Moon lander for the first time](<https://www.theverge.com/2019/6/20/18692707/blue-origin-moon-lander-be7-engine-hot-fire-test-ignition>) \[*The Verge*\]

**More on Blue Moon:** *[Jeff Bezos Just Unveiled Blue Origin’s Moon Lander](<https://futurism.com/blue-origin-moon-lander>)*

## Author
I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida.

### Author social links  
[Bluesky](<https://bsky.app/profile/vtanger.bsky.social>)