Melissa Donovan
Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, announced plans on Monday to conduct a second test flight of its New Glenn mega-rocket in “late spring.” This decision follows an extensive review of the booster stage failure that occurred during the rocket’s inaugural launch in January. The company believes it has identified the cause of the issue and has outlined corrective measures to prevent a recurrence.
According to Blue Origin, the investigation, which was required by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), resulted in the identification of “seven corrective actions.” These measures primarily focus on enhancing “propellant management and engine bleed control improvements.” The company has submitted its findings and proposed fixes to the FAA for review.
New Glenn represents a significant milestone for Blue Origin as its first orbital-class rocket. Beyond reaching Earth’s orbit, the company envisions utilizing the vehicle for deeper space missions. Demonstrating the rocket’s reliability and reusability is critical for Blue Origin as it seeks to establish itself as a formidable competitor to SpaceX, the dominant player in the commercial launch sector.
In a statement released Monday, Blue Origin attributed the booster’s landing failure to issues with its three BE-4 engines, which “did not re-ignite properly” during descent. However, the company did not disclose further technical details on the malfunction.
The towering 320-foot New Glenn rocket has undergone years of development and faced multiple delays before its maiden flight earlier this year. While the rocket’s second stage successfully reached orbit, the booster stage encountered problems upon re-entry. Blue Origin has confirmed its intention to attempt another booster landing during New Glenn’s upcoming test flight, as it continues refining the vehicle’s capabilities.
As Blue Origin pushes forward with its launch program, industry observers will closely watch how these corrective measures impact the performance of New Glenn. Successfully demonstrating reusability will be a crucial step in the company’s broader ambitions for space exploration and commercial launch services.
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