FAA orders investigation into Blue Origin’s New Glenn mishap
The New Glenn rocket will have to stay grounded while the company investigates what caused the apparent failure of its upper stage.
The New Glenn rocket will have to stay grounded while the company investigates what caused the apparent failure of its upper stage.
It’s a major milestone for the company’s new mega-rocket system, putting it in position to challenge SpaceX’s dominance of the global launch market.
Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin had previously suggested that the third launch of the mega-rocket would take the space company’s robotic lunar lander to the moon.
The nine-engine variant can carry larger payloads and more closely matches the capabilities of SpaceX’s largest rocket, Starship.
It’s an impressive accomplishment for the new mega-rocket launch system, and paves the way for the company to start re-using the boosters in commercial missions.
The same solar activity that’s been lighting up the night sky in North America is causing this particular delay.
It’s an important launch for Jeff Bezos’ space company, which is trying to prove its rockets can be re-used while delivering its first commercial payloads.
It’s an important launch for Jeff Bezos’ space company, which is trying to prove its rockets can be re-used while delivering its first commercial payloads.
Blue Origin’s first New Glenn launch in January mostly went well, and now the long-delayed second mission is finally ready for takeoff.