Blue Origin announced plans for enhancements to its New Glenn rocket following its successful second launch. The company is developing a new variant called the New Glenn 9×4, which will feature nine BE-4 engines on its first stage and four BE-3U engines on its upper stage, compared to the current 7×2 configuration. This upgrade is aimed at increasing payload capacity and launch frequency. The 9×4 variant is designed to lift over 70 metric tons to low-Earth orbit, more than 14 metric tons to geosynchronous orbit, and about 20 metric tons for trans-lunar injection, all while incorporating a larger 8.7-meter fairing. The rollout of these upgrades will begin with the third launch of the New Glenn, expected in the first half of 2026, though the timeline for the 9×4 variant's first flight remains uncertain. An insider suggested it could launch as early as 2027. The New Glenn 9×4 aims to compete closely with NASA's Space Launch System, offering a similar lift capacity but with a fully reusable first stage and a significantly lower projected cost—potentially less than one-tenth of NASA's estimated $2.2 billion per launch. This move positions Blue Origin to enhance its market competitiveness in the space launch industry, especially for missions that require heavier payloads. By iterating on its current design, the company believes it can accelerate the development of the 9×4 variant without revealing a specific timeline for its rollout.