The rocket was successfully launched after the company’s first attempt was scrubbed. The flight is a crucial test of the Blue Origin’s ability to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Blue Origin launched its massive new rocket on its first test flight Thursday, sending up a prototype satellite to orbit thousands of miles above Earth. Named after the first American to orbit Earth,

Jeff Bezos Blue Origin has launched its massive new rocket on first test flight from Florida. Named after the first American to orbit Earth, the New Glenn rocket blasted off from Florida, soaring from the same pad used to launch NASA's Mariner and Pioneer spacecraft a half-century ago.