#1
#1 out of 2
science9h ago
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Cleared For Launch After Suffering Malfunction
- FAA clears Blue Origin's New Glenn for liftoff after investigating a cryogenic leak that caused a second-stage malfunction.
- The failure placed AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite in an off-nominal orbit before it was de-orbited.
- The root cause was a cryogenic leak that froze a hydraulic line, triggering the thrust anomaly in the second stage.
- The booster 'Never Tell Me The Odds' was reused for the first time in the NG-3 mission as a mark of reusability.
- The mission carried AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite, intended to provide direct smartphone connectivity.
- Blue Origin's investigation confirmed corrective measures to prevent a similar anomaly in future launches.
- The NG-3 mission had grounded the program due to the recent failure, affecting Blue Origin's launch cadence.
- Blue Origin aims to ramp up production, aspiring to produce 60 New Glenn upper stages by Q3 2028.
- The investigation concluded with a formal FAA clearance and a pathway to resumed launches.
- New Glenn's upper-stage engine burn was the focal point of the April 19 anomaly.
Vote 0
