Blue Origin has postponed the launch of its inaugural New Glenn orbital rocket due to a “vehicle subsystem issue” that could not be resolved in time for the launch window on Monday, January 13. The company is now determining a new launch date. Initially targeting a three-hour window, the launch team faced unexpected delays, a situation exacerbated by prior poor weather conditions in the Atlantic Ocean—where the rocket’s first-stage booster is intended to land.
Founder Jeff Bezos described the moment as “a very big night,” expressing the excitement and challenges that come with a first launch. He acknowledged the difficulties of attempting to land the booster, named ‘So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance,’ on a platform named after his mother, ‘Jacklyn.’ This endeavor mirrors successful techniques used by SpaceX with its Falcon 9 rockets.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp emphasized the uncertainty involved in the landing attempt, noting that many variables could not be tested beforehand, stating, “It’s very hard to simulate the environments,” which adds an element of risk. The company believes attempting to land the booster on its first flight is ambitious, but if successful, it will provide valuable learning.
Despite the launch delay, weather conditions were improving for the launch attempt, with a forecast of calmer conditions relative to previous days. Although the current forecast indicates 90% favorable weather for Monday, the outlook for a backup launch date on Tuesday drops to only 40%.
On a technical level, the New Glenn rocket stands at 57 meters tall, powered by seven BE-4 engines that generate about 3.9 million pounds of thrust. Following liftoff, the booster will aim to separate and descend back to the landing area, where it will be equipped with a hydraulic landing system and a Recovery Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) to assist in retrieval.
Regardless of the outcome, Bezos expressed confidence in Blue Origin’s manufacturing capabilities, noting they have multiple boosters and second stages already in production, positioning the company for future launches as early as spring.
This mission marks a pivotal moment for Blue Origin as it seeks to advance rocket technology and solidify its presence in the competitive space industry. With ambitions to conduct multiple flights in the coming years, the company remains on track to fulfill its goals of both learning from and expanding its orbital capabilities.