Blue Origin Delays New Glenn Return to Flight Until January 2027
Repairs to the Florida launch pad damaged in a May explosion are taking longer than planned, according to reports citing a company memo.
Blue Origin has pushed the return to flight of its New Glenn rocket to January 2027, moving beyond its earlier target of the end of this year.
Reports citing an internal memo from CEO Dave Limp say reconstruction of the company's Cape Canaveral launch pad has taken longer than planned. Limp told employees that summer weather had slowed the work.
New Glenn has been grounded since a May explosion during a hot-fire test badly damaged the Florida launch pad. The rocket had been preparing to carry satellites for Amazon's Leo internet constellation.
The company has repaired and restacked the Vehicle Access Tower and restored the launch bridge as part of its recovery work, according to the memo. Limp said returning New Glenn to flight remains Blue Origin's top priority.
The delay adds pressure to Amazon's satellite rollout, which uses Blue Origin as one of its launch providers. Amazon has also turned to other rocket companies to put satellites into orbit.
New Glenn is Blue Origin's heavy-lift orbital rocket. The company is working to increase its flight rate as it competes for commercial and government launch contracts.