Blue Origin is preparing for the second launch of its New Glenn rocket. After one close call that ended with a cruise ship and inclement weather conspired to ground the unusual craft, this thrilling event is now re-scheduled for November 12. The launch will take place at Cape Canaveral, Florida, with a launch window opening at 2:50 p.m. ET and lasting until 4:17 p.m. ET.
Aside from the upcoming mission, New Glenn has been slated for its first commercial flight since a successful inaugural launch in January. The rocket successfully delivered its customers to orbit on its inaugural flight. It suffered a failure when the booster exploded upon landing on an ocean drone ship. Blue Origin has their work cut out for them, but they aren’t discouraged. They’ve promoted the fact that their New Glenn booster will be fully reusable on its second flight.
New Glenn will be taking a technology demonstrator for Viasat. This project is only one component of a larger NASA initiative, but it exemplifies the rocket’s capacity to propel significant progress in space technology. The partnership with Viasat highlights the strategic partnerships Blue Origin is building as Blue Origin works to play a key role in the growing commercial space industry.
The initial launch attempt on Sunday faced challenges when the launch window opened at 2:45 p.m. ET, but was cut short after a cruise ship entered the designated flight path just before 4:15 p.m. ET. This unfortunately made it necessary for Blue Origin to delay the mission, but safety was always going to be the foremost priority. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) rocket launching crash restrictions released last week right before a federal government shutdown. In turn, Blue Origin took great pains to work with the FAA in order to be able to have a re-attempt for a launch.
Meanwhile, Blue Origin is building out for its key second mission. The new company is laser-focused on demonstrating New Glenn’s full reusability, which will be key to connecting their new long-term vision of sustainable space travel and exploration to their customers. The booster landed from its flight with precision! This accomplishment represents a major victory for Blue Origin and a step forward in the development of commercial space tourism.
