Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin could revolutionize the space industry with its New Glenn rocket. Here's how it stacks up against SpaceX's Falcon 9.

Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's company Blue Origin is poised to launch its first orbital rocket next week, marking a pivotal moment in the commercial space race currently dominated by Elon Musk's SpaceX.

Blue Origin, which was established in 2000 by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, has been developing New Glenn for about a decade. The 320-foot-tall (98 meters) rocket sports a reusable first stage and can deliver about 50 tons (45 metric tons) of payload to low Earth orbit (LEO).

Both Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Starship are posed for an upcoming launch − both possibly lifting off within days or even hours of each other. Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Blue Origin's New Glenn on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (Blue Origin Image) Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin space venture says it's

The company, owned by the Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, also received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration to launch the vehicle to orbit.

Beachside spectators have monitored the rocket and Launch Complex 36 pre-launch activities on the horizon for weeks, including a Dec. 27 hot-fire test.

Blue Origin on Monday revealed plans for the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket from Florida’s Space Coast.

Standing 98 meters tall, the New Glenn rocket can transport up to 45 tons to low Earth orbit, more than double SpaceX's Falcon 9 capacity of 23 tons but less than the Falcon Heavy's 63.8 tons.

If you’re hearing rumors about when the brand-new mega-rocket from a company other than SpaceX will launch from our Space Coast for the first time on a test flight, you’re not alone.

New Glenn, developed by the private space firm founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, is on the pad at Cape Canaveral, Fla., and could launch on its maiden flight as early as Friday.