Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, has pushed back the next launch of its New Glenn rocket to 2027. The company had originally aimed to send the vehicle into space by December, but the schedule has now slipped by more than a year, with weather cited as the reason for the delay.
The setback is tied to the aftermath of an explosion involving New Glenn a few months before the latest reporting. The blast damaged the launch pad, and crews are still rebuilding it. Because the next flight depends on that work being finished, the timing of the rocket's return to the launch schedule remains linked to how quickly those repairs progress.
The reporting does not say what caused the explosion, leaving the root of the problem unclear. It also does not confirm whether the 2027 target is firm, so the date could move again if the pad work or weather conditions cause further setbacks.
For Blue Origin, the delay matters because New Glenn is meant to expand the company's capacity to put heavy payloads into orbit. Each postponement pushes back the point at which the rocket can begin flying regular missions and competing more directly in the commercial launch market.
Credit. Based on reporting for FOX 35 Orlando. Is this your work? Write to us.
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