Blue Origin’s long-awaited first launch attempt of its New Glenn rocket was postponed again due to a technical issue. The aerospace firm, established by billionaire Jeff Bezos, sought to light its engines for the first time on January 13, 2025, from Florida’s Space Coast. The scheduled launch window, which started at 1 a.m. EST, was subject to multiple delays before being officially scrapped around 3:10 a.m. EST.
The company disclosed via X that they halted the launch to troubleshoot a “vehicle subsystem issue.” While the specific issue was not detailed in their initial announcement, further information later revealed that ice accumulation in a purge line of an auxiliary power unit, which is vital for hydraulics, was the culprit. Although the launch was initially rescheduled for January 14, it has since been pushed to January 16, maintaining the same three-hour launch window.
This marks yet another delay for the New Glenn rocket, which stands at an impressive 320 feet tall and is designed with a reusable first stage. Blue Origin’s original target for the inaugural flight, known as NG-1, was set for January 10. However, that attempt was also postponed due to inclement sea conditions in the Atlantic, where the first stage is expected to land on a recovery ship named Jacklyn, in honor of Bezos’ mother.
Despite the delays, Blue Origin remains hopeful, as the current NG-1 launch window extends through January 16. The mission will test a prototype of Blue Ring, a new spacecraft platform developed by the company. The New Glenn rocket has been in development for nearly a decade and represents Blue Origin’s ambitious ambitions beyond its reusable suborbital vehicle, New Shepard.
In summary, while the continued postponements are disappointing, Blue Origin’s commitment to addressing technical challenges shows their dedication to ensuring a successful launch. The aerospace industry thrives on perseverance, and with each step, Blue Origin moves closer to achieving its goals in space.