Blue Origin scraps New Glenn launch after weather holds; FAA order complicates next steps

Blue Origin called off the second flight of its New Glenn heavy‑lift rocket after multiple weather holds during the launch window and ultimately scrubbing the attempt around 4:13 PM ET. The vehicle was set to carry twin Rocket Lab–built satellites for UC Berkeley’s NASA Escapade mission, which will use a year‑long Earth orbit before heading to Mars in 2027.

The timeline for the next launch opportunity is uncertain. The Federal Aviation Administration recently issued an emergency order tied to the government shutdown that restricts commercial launches to nighttime hours (10:00 PM–6:00 AM as of November 10). Blue Origin said it’s reviewing weather windows but did not explicitly reference the FAA order in its statement.

What was on board

• Twin satellites (Rocket Lab build) for UC Berkeley’s Escapade mission to study space weather; they will initially follow a “12‑month kidney‑bean” orbit before departing for Mars in 2027.
• New Glenn’s reusable first stage — Blue Origin aims to recover it on its autonomous landing vessel, Jacklyn (a barge) — a recovery attempt that failed on the rocket’s maiden flight earlier this year.

Why this matters

Delays on New Glenn highlight both the operational challenges of launching large new vehicles and the ways external factors — weather and regulatory constraints — can collide. The FAA’s temporary restriction narrows launch windows, complicating recovery plans and mission timing for providers and customers alike.

Technical & logistical notes

• Weather: Launches from Cape Canaveral are often subject to hold patterns when conditions near or downrange jeopardize safety or tracking operations.
• FAA restrictions: Emergency orders that change allowable launch hours can force providers to re‑plan timelines and may delay missions until the order is lifted or alternative opportunities arise.
• Booster recovery: Blue Origin’s plan to land the first stage on the Jacklyn platform remains a key element for reusability economics; success is still pending after the first flight’s unsuccessful recovery.

What’s next

Blue Origin says it’s evaluating the next feasible launch opportunities based on weather forecasts. Observers will also watch for updates from the FAA about the duration of its emergency order. For the Escapade mission, timeline slips could shift the mission profile but the satellites are intended to wait in Earth orbit until alignment for transfer to Mars in 2027.

Follow official channels for updates: Blue Origin, NASA, and UC Berkeley’s mission pages for Escapade.

Discussion: Do you think regulatory pauses like the FAA order will become a common complication for commercial space launches? How critical is a successful booster recovery for companies like Blue Origin?