Will you ride on this rocket? Blue Origin unveils new, reusable rocket as big as Saturn V

Rocket could be used to ferry space tourists.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos has unveiled Blue Origin's next project. A rocket called the "New Glenn" will be almost as large as the Saturn V and will carry people.

LOS ANGELES, CA (California Network) - Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin rocket business is about to construct a new machine. Known as the New Glenn, the rocket will stand nearly as tall as the original Saturn V and will be capable of hauling people into space, and possibly to the Moon or Mars.

Blue Origin has been launching and landing the New Shepherd, a 65-foot high reusable rocket that can fly about 60 miles high before returning to Earth. The next rocket, the New Glenn would be capable of reaching orbit and possibly going much further, and it would also be able to return to Earth.

The ability to reuse a rocket is critical to cutting the costs of spaceflight. Cheaper spaceflight means more research and development can be conducted in space and space tourism becomes feasible.

The New Glenn rocket will come in two versions, a two-stage version and a three-stage version. It will have seven engines.

The rocket is named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. This follows the naming convention established by the New Shepherd, which was named after Alan Shepherd, the first American into space. Bezos has said that the 1960s space race was an important influence on him.

After the New Glenn is developed, Bezos said the New Armstrong will be next. The New Armstrong is only a concept for now, but it may be the largest rocket yet, intended to ferry people to and from the Moon.

---

The California Network is the Next Wave in delivery of information and entertainment on pop culture, social trends, lifestyle, entertainment, news, politics and economics. We are hyper-focused on one audience, YOU, the connected generation. JOIN US AS WE REDEFINE AND REVOLUTIONIZE THE EVER-CHANGING MEDIA LANDSCAPE.