Blue Whale 1 is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle capable of placing a 150 kg payload into a 500 km Sun-Synchronous Orbit with the fully reusable first stage.

By using liquid oxygen and methane as propellants for both stages, BW1 emits far fewer carbon pollutants into the atmosphere. It also enables higher engine performance and better maintainability. For lightweight construction, Blue Whale is mainly constructed from high-strength carbon composites, improving payload mass fraction for such a small and lightweight launch vehicle.

The flight test program will begin in late 2024, followed by commercial flights in 2025. With a total launch price of less than $3M, it is the most affordable launch vehicle in the world.