Blue Origin has been given the green light to send its New Glenn mega-rocket back into space after a recent mishap saw one of its engines underperform during an April launch.
The rocket failed to place a commercial payload, AST SpaceMobile's satellite, into orbit. Instead, the satellite ended its journey in Earth’s atmosphere due to thermal issues that reduced thrust by one engine. Blue Origin reported and took corrective measures but didn't divulge their specifics.
Despite this setback, the company managed to reuse the New Glenn booster stage for a second time, landing it on a drone ship in the ocean—a significant first for the rocket. This launch was only the third for the New Glenn, although it otherwise went smoothly.
The clearance means Blue Origin can now continue with its ambitious plans. The company targets up to 12 launches by the end of 2026, though the one-month grounding might impact these goals. It's a reminder that even in space, where errors are costly and rare, mishaps happen, but they also offer valuable lessons.
