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Blue Origin pushes second flight of New Glenn mega-rocket to August
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket second flight has been postponed to at least mid-August due to investigation findings that identified seven corrective actions after its first launch. This delay comes as the competition in the space launch market intensifies, particularly from SpaceX's advances with Starship.
Key points
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket second flight pushed to at least mid-August.
- Initial target was 'late spring', which has been missed.
- First launch occurred on January 16, but booster stage exploded during landing attempt.
- FAA mandated an investigation leading to the discovery of seven corrective actions.
- The company plans to retry landing the booster on the upcoming flight.
Why it matters
- The delay highlights ongoing challenges in the aerospace sector, particularly for new entrants.
- Blue Origin has been in development of New Glenn since 2016, with initial plans for flight in 2021.
- As of 2023, SpaceX has significantly advanced its launch capabilities, exerting strong market pressure on competitors.
The postponement of New Glenn's second flight underscores the complexities of developing reliable space technology, especially as Blue Origin seeks to regain competitive ground in a market increasingly dominated by SpaceX.