Blue Origin has scrubbed the launch of its inaugural New Glenn rocket due to a “vehicle subsystem issue.” The launch had been scheduled in a three-hour window on Monday, January 13, but ultimately could not proceed within the allocated time. As of now, a new launch date is being established, with all preparations in place for liftoff from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon and owner of Blue Origin, expressed the significance of this moment in an interview before the scheduled launch. Describing it as “a very big night,” he acknowledged the challenges of landing the booster on its first mission, referring to the task as potentially “a little crazy.” However, he emphasized the company’s readiness to adapt and learn from any issues that may arise during the flight.
Despite poor weather hampering previous launch attempts, conditions were improving as the new target date approached. Weather forecasts indicated a 90 percent chance of favorable conditions for Monday’s launch, although that dropped to just 40 percent for a potential backup attempt on Tuesday.
The launch aims to deploy the Blue Ring Pathfinder satellite, with the mission also including a bold attempt to land the booster named “So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance” on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean, akin to SpaceX’s Falcon 9 landings. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp acknowledged the complexities of this operation, noting the unknown variables that cannot be fully tested on the ground.
The New Glenn rocket, standing at approximately 57 meters, is powered by seven BE-4 engines and is designed for a minimum of 25 flights. The flight aims for a successful separation of the upper stage and installation of the payload into a medium Earth orbit.
Regardless of the outcome of the flight, Blue Origin is in a strong manufacturing process, with plans for additional boosters and a commitment to learning from each mission to ultimately create a reliable launch vehicle.
In summary, Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch is a pivotal move towards expanding commercial spaceflight capabilities, showcasing the ambition and resilience of the company as it looks to overcome the challenges of its first orbital mission while aspiring to increase launch frequencies in the following years. With comprehensive preparations and a commitment to innovation, the future of Blue Origin remains hopeful and promising.