What does the $9\times 4$ designation explicitly reference about its engine layout?
Answer
Nine BE-4 engines on the first stage and four BE-3U engines on the second stage
The nomenclature $9\times 4$ directly corresponds to the engine configuration planned for the Super Heavy Lift variant. The numeral '9' indicates the nine BE-4 engines powering the first stage (booster), which is an increase from the seven engines used on the $7\times 2$ version. The numeral '4' indicates the four BE-3U engines that will power the second stage. This increase in engine count is fundamental to achieving the performance required for Super Heavy Lift classification.
Related Questions
Who inspired the naming of the New Glenn rocket family?What designation identifies the current operational New Glenn configuration?What engines and propellants define the first stage (GS1) of the $7\times 2$ New Glenn?Which New Glenn configuration places the rocket *family* in the Super Heavy Lift category?What does the $9\times 4$ designation explicitly reference about its engine layout?What is the approximate payload mass goal for the $7\times 2$ New Glenn to LEO?Where is the reusable first stage of the $7\times 2$ New Glenn designed to land vertically?What historic rocket is the $9\times 4$ variant depicted as being taller than?What propulsion upgrade method is planned for BE-4 engines starting with mission $ ext{NG-3}$?What is Blue Origin's stated concurrent operational strategy for the $7\times 2$ and $9\times 4$ variants?