Blue Origin Rocket Engine Arrives At Museum Of Flight

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Kent-based space exploration firm Blue Origin has donated one of its groundbreaking rocket engines to the Museum of Flight for a new display that's set up at the Charles Simonyi Space Gallery. The donation marks a new partnership with the museum.

The prototype BE-3U engine was designed to power the upper stage of Blue Origin's giant reusable New Glenn rocket that launched for the first time only a couple of months ago. It stands about 15 feet tall and weighs over a ton.

According to the museum, the engine is now one of the largest objects on display in its exhibit focusing on the latest in rocket science and space programs.

KIRO 7 spoke to Timothy Hinerman, who is on the team that developed the BE3U rocket engine . Monday morning, he oversaw the delicate installation of the engine at the museum. He said he hopes the work with the Museum of Flight and the new display will inspire a new generation to space exploration.

"This is one of the early development units we have tested," he said. "It's already been hot-fired. We learned a bunch from it."

KIRO 7 also spoke to Geoff Nunn, a space curator at the museum. He watched the engine installation Monday morning and says Western Washington's space exploration ecosystem is a strong one.

"They've managed to secure quite a few contracts as it is," he told KIRO 7. "I think they have a chance."

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