Blue Origin Postpones New Glenn Rocket Launch Due to Technical Issues

Blue Origin has postponed the much-anticipated debut launch of its New Glenn rocket, citing technical challenges. The rocket, designed to rival SpaceX’s dominance in space launches, had been set to lift off early Monday from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Countdown Halted Due to Subsystem Issues

The New Glenn rocket, standing 320 feet tall, was scheduled to launch during a three-hour window starting at 1 a.m. ET. However, engineers encountered anomalies requiring immediate troubleshooting. According to Blue Origin’s Vice President of In-Space Systems, Ariane Cornell, the team identified issues in a critical vehicle subsystem. This prompted a halt just minutes before the planned liftoff.

Cornell explained, “We are standing down from today’s launch attempt to troubleshoot a vehicle subsystem issue.” Following this, the team began draining the rocket’s propellant, which included liquid methane, hydrogen, and oxygen.

No Immediate Reschedule

Blue Origin has not announced a new launch date for the New Glenn rocket, stating that further assessments are needed. Engineers aim to resolve technical problems and determine readiness for a future attempt. The delay follows earlier challenges, including rough seas, which impacted plans to recover the rocket’s booster on a floating platform in the Atlantic.

A Critical Mission for Blue Origin

The New Glenn rocket represents a pivotal step for Blue Origin. Named after astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth, the rocket is designed for satellite launches and other orbital missions. It is five times taller than Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket, which is primarily used for suborbital flights.

The company hopes to gather extensive data from the inaugural launch to refine its operations. A successful launch could position Blue Origin as a significant competitor to SpaceX in the global satellite launch market.

A Busy Week for Space Launches

While Blue Origin paused its launch, neighbouring NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is gearing up for other major events. A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying two lunar landers, is set to launch on Wednesday, highlighting the bustling space activity in Florida.

More…

• https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cn54dky671zt
• https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/13/science/new-glenn-blue-origin-rocket-launch-attempt/index.html
• https://www.ctvnews.ca/sci-tech/jeff-bezos-space-company-calls-off-debut-launch-of-massive-new-rocket-in-final-minutes-of-countdown-1.7173272