BE-4 Engine

Overview

Liquid oxygen/liquefied natural gas (methane) rocket engine - the first American-made oxygen-rich staged combustion engine. Powers New Glenn and ULA Vulcan Centaur.

BE-4 is in full-rate production in Huntsville and powers both the seven-engine New Glenn booster and ULA's two-engine Vulcan first stage. After tracing the May 28, 2026 New Glenn pad explosion to a main oxygen valve fault, Blue Origin is retrofitting a modified valve into existing BE-4 engines - including units already at ULA's Decatur, Alabama plant and Cape Canaveral - with updated hardware targeted for end of August 2026.

Key Specs