Blue Origin, the aerospace company established by Jeff Bezos in 2000, has postponed its second attempt to launch the New Glenn rocket, a towering 30-story vehicle originally set to take off early Monday. The decision was made due to a technical issue that required engineering adjustments.
Initially, the company had aimed for a second launch attempt during a three-hour window starting at 1 a.m. ET on Tuesday. However, as the evening unfolded without updates, Blue Origin announced it would instead target a new launch date of Thursday, January 16. The company cited poor weather conditions as a further reason for the delay, stating that adverse forecasts at the launch site could impact their plans.
In a detailed explanation, Blue Origin indicated that the initial scrubbing of the launch was linked to the formation of ice in a purge line associated with an auxiliary power unit. This component is crucial for powering various hydraulic systems on the rocket. The technical difficulties were significant enough that the countdown clock had to be halted with less than ten minutes remaining.
A smooth inaugural flight for the New Glenn rocket is particularly important for Blue Origin, as the data gathered from this launch is expected to enhance its capability to compete in the global launch market, primarily dominated by SpaceX. The New Glenn rocket marks a crucial step for Blue Origin in its mission to send satellites into orbit.
This delay comes amidst a bustling week in space exploration, with a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket aiming to launch two lunar landers as early as Wednesday, alongside the planned seventh test flight of SpaceX’s Starship rocket.
The continued efforts by Blue Origin to troubleshoot and prepare the New Glenn for a successful launch reflect the challenges and complexities inherent in aerospace endeavors. With each attempt, the company moves closer to establishing a more significant foothold in the competitive market, and the upcoming launches from both Blue Origin and SpaceX highlight the excitement within the space industry as advancements continue.
For those following space exploration, this means an exciting week ahead with several significant missions planned – a clear indicator of progress within the aerospace sector.