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Blue Origin Targets Late Spring for Next New Glenn Launch After Mishap Investigation
WASHINGTON — Space company Blue Origin anticipates its next New Glenn rocket launch will occur as early as late spring, following the conclusion of an inquiry into the booster landing anomaly during the vehicle’s inaugural flight. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has accepted Blue Origin’s report on the January 16th New Glenn mission, which successfully placed its upper stage into orbit but experienced a first-stage booster landing failure. This paves the way for a potential return to flight for the New Glenn program, pending FAA approval of corrective actions.
FAA Accepts Findings on Initial New Glenn Flight Anomaly
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) announced on March 31st its acceptance of Blue Origin’s investigative findings regarding the maiden voyage of New Glenn on January 16th. During this initial space launch, while the upper stage of the vehicle achieved its planned orbit, the first-stage booster was unable to execute a landing on Blue Origin’s designated recovery vessel in the Atlantic Ocean.
According to the FAA statement, “The final incident report pinpointed the primary reason for the anomaly as the New Glenn first stage’s inability to restart its engines. This engine restart malfunction prevented a necessary reentry burn, ultimately leading to the booster stage’s loss.” The FAA also indicated that Blue Origin has outlined seven remedial steps but did not specify the details of these actions.
Path to New Glenn Return to Flight
With the investigation finalized, Blue Origin is now cleared to proceed toward the rocket’s subsequent flight, contingent upon FAA verification that the company has effectively implemented the identified corrective measures. “The Blue Origin New Glenn vehicle is authorized for a return to flight, provided all other necessary licensing prerequisites are fulfilled,” the FAA affirmed.
Blue Origin Details Engine Relight Issue
“Our ambitious endeavor to recover the booster, aptly named ‘So You’re Telling Me There’s a Chance,’ was unsuccessful due to the failure of our three BE-4 engines to properly reignite,” Blue Origin disclosed in a social media communication released concurrently with the FAA’s announcement. “The investigation report specified seven corrective actions, primarily focused on enhancements to propellant management and engine bleed control systems. These improvements are already underway at Blue Origin.”
The company stated that its forthcoming launch is scheduled for late spring and will incorporate another attempt at booster recovery. Blue Origin has not yet provided a more precise launch window nor disclosed any payload information for the upcoming New Glenn launch. A Blue Origin spokesperson informed SpaceNews that the company would not be offering further details beyond their public social media statement at this time.
CEO Limp Previously Mentioned Propellant Concerns
Dave Limp, Chief Executive Officer of Blue Origin, had previously indicated at the Commercial Space Conference on February 12th that the company was aiming for a late spring launch for the next New Glenn flight. During his conference remarks, Limp hinted at propellant delivery issues to the engines as a potential factor in the booster’s loss but refrained from elaborating due to the ongoing mishap investigation.
In a social media message released on March 31st, Limp expressed confidence, stating, “We are confident that the propellant and bleed control enhancements we are implementing will significantly improve our prospects of successfully landing the booster on our next mission. As we have consistently stated, we will persist in our efforts until we achieve this objective.”
FAA Updates on SpaceX Starship Investigation
In parallel announcements on March 31st, the FAA also confirmed its acceptance of the findings from a separate investigation into the loss of SpaceX’s Starship vehicle during its seventh test flight, which occurred on the same day as the inaugural New Glenn launch.
“The final incident report identifies the likely root cause of the Starship vehicle loss as unexpectedly strong vibrations encountered during flight. These intense vibrations led to increased stress and subsequent failure of hardware within the propulsion system,” the FAA detailed. This assessment is consistent with SpaceX’s own statements regarding the upper stage’s loss.
Starship Flights Continue Under FAA Oversight
The FAA permitted SpaceX to proceed with its subsequent Starship test flight, even while the mishap investigation was still in progress, after completing what it termed a “required and comprehensive safety review.” However, the Starship upper stage was again lost during its eighth test flight on March 6th, in approximately the same phase of flight as the previous incident.
The FAA clarified that the inquiry into the most recent Starship test is still underway. Neither the agency nor SpaceX has released details regarding the potential underlying cause. “SpaceX is prohibited from launching Starship again until the FAA accepts the final mishap investigation report, or makes a return to flight determination, and all other licensing mandates are satisfied,” the FAA stipulated.