Blue Origin Is Working on a SpaceX Super Heavy Clone

That test tank sure looks familiar.

Project Jarvis

Blue Origin is making headwind on developing a fully reusable rocket stage designed to launch its New Glenn rocket, according to images taken near the test site and published by Ars Technica today.

The test tank bears a striking resemblance to SpaceX's Super Heavy booster prototypes — which is striking, because the two space companies are currently embroiled in an increasingly bitter feud.

The rocket is being developed under the codename "Project Jarvis." The first test tank rolled out today to Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, as the images show.

Cranking Out Tanks

According to Ars, Blue Origin has developed a fast and iterative engineering process to test out a variety of different test tank designs (though we'll believe that when we see it).

We have yet to see what kind of landing system Blue Origin will end up choosing. It's likely the company will opt for a SpaceX-style vertical landing once the booster has delivered its payload.

The race is on, with both companies attempting to establish a heavy lift launch system capable of exploring deep space and perhaps even landing humans on the Moon.

But as it stands right now, SpaceX has the clear upper hand.

READ MORE: First images of Blue Origin’s “Project Jarvis” test tank [Ars Technica]