Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Set for Debut Launch Sunday

Blue Origin is preparing to launch its powerful New Glenn rocket for the first time no earlier than early Sunday, Jan. 12, after a delay caused by rough offshore weather. The 320-foot-tall (98 meters) rocket is scheduled to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida during a three-hour window opening at 1 a.m. EST (0600 GMT).

The launch, initially planned for Jan. 10, was postponed due to unfavorable weather conditions that could have impacted the recovery of the rocket’s first stage. Blue Origin will attempt to land the reusable booster on its Landing Platform Vessel 1, nicknamed Jacklyn, in the Atlantic Ocean. The vessel is named after the mother of Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos.

New Glenn, which has been in development for about a decade, will not deploy any satellites on this mission, designated NG-1. Instead, it will carry a test version of Blue Origin’s new “Blue Ring” spacecraft platform. The pathfinder will validate the platform’s communications capabilities and test in-space telemetry, tracking, and command hardware.

“The mission will also test its in-space telemetry, tracking and command hardware, and ground-based radiometric tracking that will be used on the future Blue Ring production space vehicle,” Blue Origin stated in a recent update. The pathfinder will remain onboard New Glenn’s second stage for the duration of the expected six-hour mission.

Debut flights are often unpredictable, and delays are common. However, Blue Origin views NG-1 as a critical learning opportunity. “It’s time to fly,” said Jarrett Jones, Senior Vice President for New Glenn, in a statement. “No matter what happens, we’ll learn, refine and apply that knowledge to our next launch.”

Space enthusiasts can watch the launch live, with coverage expected to begin about an hour before liftoff. Space.com will carry the feed if Blue Origin makes it available.