Blue Origin’s inaugural launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket has been delayed again due to a technical issue. Initially scheduled for January 13, 2025, the launch from Florida’s Space Coast was postponed when the company encountered a problem with a vehicle subsystem. The decision to stand down was announced around 3:10 a.m. EST, after several earlier postponements.
The aerospace firm founded by Jeff Bezos later disclosed that the launch was scrubbed because of ice formation in a purge line connected to an auxiliary power unit that supports various hydraulic systems. Blue Origin initially targeted a new launch date of January 14, but subsequently pushed the attempt to January 16 to ensure adequate time for resolving the issue.
This delay is not unprecedented. The New Glenn rocket, which has been in development for approximately ten years, has faced previous setbacks. Originally, Blue Origin planned to conduct the debut mission, referred to as NG-1, on January 10, but unfavorable sea conditions in the Atlantic led to that delay.
The New Glenn, standing at 320 feet tall (98 meters), is designed with a reusable first stage in a move toward making spaceflight more sustainable and cost-effective. The test flight will carry a pathfinder version of Blue Origin’s new spacecraft platform called Blue Ring.
As the countdown to the new launch window on January 16 begins, Blue Origin is working diligently to resolve the identified technical issue. This ambitious project could pave the way for more frequent and reliable access to space.
In summary, Blue Origin’s commitment to launch the New Glenn heavy-lift rocket illustrates its dedication to advancing space travel technology. The company remains hopeful about overcoming the current challenges and successfully achieving the mission soon.