On January 11, 2025, the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket prepares for its maiden launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.
Joe Skipper | Reuters
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin on Monday dealt a blow to the company’s plans to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX in the satellite field, following last-minute problems with its New Glenn rocket. Glenn Rocket’s first launch was canceled.
The launch was scheduled to take place from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at 1 a.m. ET.
“We are using today’s service to troubleshoot issues with the vehicle subsystems that would cause us to exceed our launch window,” Arian Cornell, Blue Origin’s vice president of space systems, said during a livestream of the scheduled takeoff. We are canceling the launch attempt.”
She added that Blue Origin is considering opportunities for its next launch attempt. During Monday’s mission, the rocket made ambitious preparations to land its first stage booster aboard the ship Jacklin off the coast of the Atlantic Ocean and keep the rocket’s second stage in orbit for future reuse. .
For test flights (a prerequisite that often needs to be repeated before committing a rocket to a national security payload), New Glenn will carry the company’s Blue Ring spacecraft, which can maneuver into multiple orbits and locations. It was intended to contain and deploy payloads.
“The launch team is currently working to de-tank the tank and secure the aircraft. From there, we will evaluate what else we want to do in the downtime and that will be our next launch opportunity.” “This will serve as a guide for the future,” Cornell said Monday.
The 320-foot-tall, partially reusable New Glenn rocket experienced multiple launch delays before the final decision was made to cancel the launch. The mission’s first takeoff was repeatedly postponed on Monday due to sea conditions unfavorable to a booster landing.
On January 10, 2025, the Blue Origin New Glenn rocket prepares for its first launch at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, USA.
Joe Skipper | Reuters
Delays, technical problems, and failures are not uncommon during rocket first-flight missions. The Blue Origin project is known for its focus on sustainability.
“As part of our long-term vision, we need to protect this planet and the role of space technology,” Cornell said. “That’s also why we started with reusable rockets and reusable engines.”
Blue Origin’s path to its first full-fledged foray into orbit has included three CEO appointments since the company’s founding in 2000, and multiple rounds carrying space tourists on its $2.5 billion New Shepard. The sub-orbital launch was carried out. Blue Origin’s methane-burning BE-4 engine at New Glenn was also used on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, which reached orbit twice last year.
Tech billionaires are increasingly seeking a shot at space exploration, a traditionally prestigious remit of government programs that offers commercial opportunities in both satellite launches and space travel.
Mr. Musk’s SpaceX has dominated the field in recent years, boasting a total of 433 launches as of Jan. 13, and on Monday scheduled the launch of a Falcon 9 rocket carrying 21 Starlink satellites into low Earth orbit. The goal is to launch it in Richard Branson’s virgin galacticMeanwhile, it took the first space traveler to the edge of space in 2023.
