Blue Origin Prepares for Second New Glenn Launch, Identifies Causes of Booster Failure

Alexis Rowe

Alexis Rowe

March 31, 2025 · 3 min read
Blue Origin Prepares for Second New Glenn Launch, Identifies Causes of Booster Failure

Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is gearing up for a second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket in late spring, the company announced on Monday. This comes after a thorough review of the booster stage failure during the inaugural flight in January, which prevented the rocket from landing successfully on an ocean platform.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mandated a review of the incident, and Blue Origin has identified seven corrective actions to address the issues. According to the company, the main focus areas are propellant management and engine bleed control improvements. The findings have been submitted to the FAA for review.

The New Glenn rocket is a critical component of Blue Origin's ambitions in space exploration. As the company's first rocket capable of reaching orbit around the Earth, it's designed to not only access low-Earth orbit but also venture further into space. Proving the rocket's capabilities and demonstrating its reliability are essential for Blue Origin to compete with SpaceX, which currently dominates the launch market.

The 320-foot New Glenn rocket has been in development for years, facing numerous delays before its inaugural flight in January. While the second stage of the rocket successfully reached orbit, the booster stage failed to re-light three of its engines during re-entry, preventing a successful landing. Blue Origin plans to attempt another booster landing during the second test flight.

The successful development and deployment of New Glenn are crucial for Blue Origin's long-term goals, including its plans to establish a lunar base and send humans to the Moon. The company's ability to overcome the technical challenges it faced during the inaugural flight and demonstrate the rocket's reliability will be closely watched by the space industry and investors alike.

As the space launch market continues to evolve, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is poised to play a significant role in shaping the industry's future. With SpaceX's Starship program making rapid progress, the competition between these two private space companies is heating up. The success of New Glenn's second launch will be a critical milestone in Blue Origin's quest to become a major player in the space launch market.

In the coming months, the space industry will be watching Blue Origin's progress closely, awaiting the outcome of the second New Glenn launch. If successful, it could mark a significant turning point for the company and pave the way for further advancements in space exploration.

Similiar Posts

Copyright © 2024 Starfolk. All rights reserved.