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Blue Origin delays New Glenn rocket launch to 2027 after launchpad explosion

Blue Origin has postponed the launch of its New Glenn rocket from late this year to January 2027 following a destructive launchpad explosion in May.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket stage transported on a maritime vessel with text reading 'Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin delays launches until 2027'.
Image: @FT

Jeff Bezos's space venture Blue Origin will not launch its New Glenn rocket this year as planned, pushing the rocket's timeline into 2027, according to reporting by the Financial Times and Engadget. The Financial Times noted that the delays resulting from the major explosion have caused Blue Origin to slip further behind Elon Musk's SpaceX, while Engadget reported that repair efforts have progressed slowly.[5][1]

The company is now aiming for a January launch, according to reports from Bloomberg, Reuters, and The Verge. Blue Origin had previously targeted a launch at the end of this year, but those plans were upended following a destructive launchpad explosion that occurred in May.[2][3][4]

Key facts

  • Blue Origin will not launch its New Glenn rocket this year, pushing launches into 2027.
  • The delay follows a destructive launchpad explosion that occurred in May.
  • Blue Origin is now targeting a January launch for New Glenn.
  • Blue Origin had previously aimed to launch the rocket at the end of the year.
  • Repairs have proceeded slowly following the explosion earlier in the year.
  • The Financial Times reported that the delays leave Blue Origin slipping further behind SpaceX.

Sources · 5 sources

  1. EN

    Engadget@engadgetPost on X ·

    Repairs have been slow after an explosion earlier this year. https://t.co/YFypxeo0Xh

    Open source
  2. BL

    Bloomberg@businessPost on X ·

    Blue Origin now plans to resume launches of its New Glenn rocket in January, delaying the much-anticipated flight of the vehicle after a destructive launchpad explosion in May. https://t.co/fs2T1qzPyi

    Open source
  3. RE

    Reuters@ReutersPost on X ·

    Blue Origin pushes New Glenn rocket launch to January, sources say https://t.co/qAeu4FkJWi

    Open source
  4. TV

    The Verge@vergePost on X ·

    Blue Origin had been aiming for a launch at the end of this year after a launchpad explosion in May, but now it’s reportedly targeting January. https://t.co/phApw3xAS6

    Open source
  5. FT

    Financial Times@FTPost on X ·

    FT Exclusive: Blue Origin will not launch its New Glenn rocket this year as planned, after a major explosion forced delays that have left the company slipping further behind Elon Musk’s SpaceX. https://t.co/UgmH4v1lIK https://t.co/knIfnDcRzw

    Open source