ABOUT BE-4
The BE-4 is an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle engine developed by Blue Origin, burning liquid methane and liquid oxygen. It powers the first stage of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur and Blue Origin’s own New Glenn rocket. The BE-4 represents a new generation of American-made engines designed to replace the Russian RD-180.
Image: Blue Origin
PERFORMANCE
| Thrust (Sea Level) | 2,400 kN (540,000 lbf) kN |
| Thrust (Vacuum) | 2,647 kN (595,000 lbf) kN |
| ISP (Sea Level) | 300 s s |
| ISP (Vacuum) | 330 s s |
| Chamber Pressure | 13.4 MPa (1,943 psi) bar |
| Mass | 2 kg |
| Thrust-to-Weight | 122 |
| Throttle Range | 40–100% |
| Restart Capable | Yes |
THRUST CONVERSIONS (VACUUM)
| Kilonewtons | 2.0 kN |
| Pounds-force | 450 lbf |
ENGINE CYCLE
Oxygen-Rich Staged Combustion
PROPULSION
| Propellant | Liquid Methane (CH₄) |
| Oxidizer | LOX |
| Engine Cycle | Oxygen-Rich Staged Combustion |
| Mixture Ratio | 3.6:1 |
| Flow Rate | ~800 kg/s kg/s |
PHYSICAL
| Dimensions | 2.0 m diameter × 3.4 m length |
| Combustion Chambers | 1 |
| Nozzle Expansion Ratio | 35:1:1 |
GENERAL
| Manufacturer | Blue Origin |
| Country | United States |
| Status | Active |
| First Flight | April 17, 2026 |
VARIANTS (1)
- BE-4
VEHICLES USING BE-4 (2)
- Vulcan Centaur
- New Glenn
ENGINE LINEAGE
BE-3→BE-4
⚖ PROPELLANTS
🏢 MANUFACTURER
