The Blue Engine 7 is a liquid hydrogen/oxygen dual expander cycle engine for use with the Blue Moon family of lunar landers. The company utilizes additive manufacturing in the development process and it is meant to generate 10,000 lbf of thrust, serving as both the ascent and descent engines for Blue Moon.[1][2]
History
Following the commencement of the Artemis Program the company sought to independently develop a lunar lander, the 'MK1' and accompanying engine. The BE-7 test phase began in 2019 with additional hot fire testing in 2020 at the Marshall Space Flight Center.[3] Following selection for NASA's second Human Landing System, which Blue Origin calls 'MK2', the company announced that the BE-7 engine will be used for both landers.[4] A demonstration flight of the MK1, planned for 2025 is on track and will debut the BE-7 engine.[5]