Jeff Bezos’s New Glenn Inaugural Launch Canceled | Science, Climate & Tech News
This morning, the launch of a massive, partially reusable rocket developed by Jeff Bezos’s company was canceled after facing multiple delays.
The New Glenn rocket, standing at 98 meters tall—approximately the height of Big Ben—was intended to transport up to 45 tons of technology into low Earth orbit.
However, Blue Origin, the space technology firm founded by Mr. Bezos, announced this morning that the launch has been called off.
This decision followed a series of delays caused by unknown issues.
As it happened: See our coverage from the launch
New Glenn on the launch pad at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in December. Pic: Blue Origin
The team stated they would establish a new launch date, expressing enthusiasm by saying, “We can’t wait to get right back here for our next launch attempt.”
Earlier this morning, the team mentioned they were “working through anomalies.”
Before the launch, Mr. Bezos noted his greatest concern was “the booster landing.”
“On a first flight, you can encounter issues at any phase of the mission, so anything is possible,” he added.
The creators of New Glenn are optimistic that it will rival SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, recognized as a reliable option for transporting heavy payloads into space.
However, it has taken Blue Origin several years to reach this milestone.
The development of the orbital rocket began nearly a decade ago, but setbacks and delays delayed its inaugural flight.
In anticipation of the launch, SpaceX founder and X owner Elon Musk extended his support, commenting “good luck” on a Blue Origin post via his social media platform.
Reusable first stage
The New Glenn rocket, named after NASA astronaut John Glenn, consists of two stages, one of which is designed to be reusable.
The first stage, which is reusable, will utilize seven engines to propel the rocket off the launch pad into the upper atmosphere before landing back on a sea platform named Jacklyn.
New Glenn’s enormous first stage is transported from its factory. Pic: Blue Origin
This initial stage is designed for at least 25 flights, making it more economical and sustainable than constructing new rockets for each launch.
The second stage is disposable, intended to carry cargo and mission-required items.
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The two restartable engines on board will activate once the first stage has exhausted its fuel.
These engines will take the remaining spacecraft to orbit.
New Glenn could be a gamechanger
The New Glenn rocket is one to keep an eye on in the space industry.
With its partially reusable design and capacity to launch heavy payloads into Earth orbit, as well as missions to the Moon or Mars, it is poised to compete seriously with Elon Musk’s SpaceX Falcon 9.
Though some may perceive Jeff Bezos as a newcomer in the billionaire space race, he actually founded Blue Origin 25 years ago, prior to the creation of SpaceX and Virgin Galactic by Musk and Branson respectively.
For years, Bezos’s space company remained under the radar until its 2015 launch of the sub-orbital tourism vehicle, New Shepard, reaching 100 km above Earth.
While New Shepard could be seen as a mere vanity project, New Glenn has the potential to change the game.
It is a crucial component for Bezos’s Project Kuiper satellite broadband initiative, directly challenging Musk’s Starlink system.
Additionally, Blue Origin is developing a lunar lander and likely crew capsules to support missions delivering astronauts to the International Space Station or participating in NASA’s plans for returning humans to the Moon.
New Glenn is expected to carry Blue Ring, an experimental “space tug” and satellite support platform; however, there is much more at stake for Jeff Bezos with this rocket.
Cargo
Rockets are designed to transport objects into orbit, necessitating the capability to carry cargo.
When Mr. Musk launched SpaceX’s first Falcon Heavy rocket in 2018, he placed his vintage red Tesla Roadster onboard.
Elon Musk’s Tesla Roadster was launched into space during a Falcon test flight in 2018. Pic: SpaceX
The Blue Ring Pathfinder heading into New Glenn’s huge cargo area. Pic: Blue Origin
Mr. Bezos has opted for a less extravagant choice compared to Musk. Instead, he has chosen to load a prototype cargo carrier, known as the Blue Ring Pathfinder, onto New Glenn.
In future missions, the Pathfinder will have the capacity to transport 3,000 kg of scientific equipment into space and deliver it to various locations in orbit.
During the test flight, the ground team will ensure that they can establish communication with the Pathfinder once it reaches orbit.
