The National Post reports in its Friday edition that Blue Origin launched its massive new rocket on its first test flight Thursday, sending up a prototype satellite to orbit thousands of kilometres above Earth. An Associated Press dispatch to the Post says that 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. Years in the making with heavy financing by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, the 98-metre rocket carried an experimental platform designed to host satellites or release them into their proper orbits. All seven main engines fired at liftoff as the rocket blazed through the predawn sky to the delight of spectators lining nearby beaches. Mr. Bezos took part in the action from Mission Control and Blue Origin employees erupted in cheers once the craft successfully reached orbit 13 minutes later, a feat that drew praise from SpaceX's Elon Musk. The first-stage booster missed its landing on a barge in the Atlantic. Founded 25 years ago by Mr. Bezos, Blue Origin has been launching paying passengers to the edge of space since 2021. Blue Origin's next flight is scheduled for spring.