Blue Origin Delays Glenn Orbital Rocket First Flight to Q4 2022

Blue Origin Updates New Glenn Rocket Launch Timeline

Blue Origin, the aerospace firm founded by Jeff Bezos, has released a revised schedule for the inaugural flight of its New Glenn rocket. This orbital launch vehicle is being developed to expand upon the capabilities of the company’s New Shepard, which provides suborbital space travel.

Delay to Q4 2022

The company is now aiming for a launch in the fourth quarter of 2022. This represents a delay of approximately one year from the previously communicated target of late 2021. The primary reason for this adjustment, according to Blue Origin, stems from a recent decision made by the U.S. Space Force.

Specifically, the Space Force opted not to utilize New Glenn for launching national security payloads during a recent competitive bidding process. This decision has prompted a reassessment of Blue Origin’s launch schedule.

Focus on Commercial Demand

In a recent blog post, Blue Origin stated that the updated schedule is aligned with the requirements of its commercial clientele. The company explicitly linked the change to the Space Force’s decision regarding the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 2 Launch Services Procurement (LSP).

The awards for this procurement were announced last August, with United Launch Alliance (ULA) and SpaceX being selected as the winning bidders. Blue Origin and Northrop Grumman were not chosen.

Continued Progress and Investment

Despite not securing the Space Force contracts, Blue Origin maintains it is making substantial advancements in the development of New Glenn. Progress is also being made on the necessary infrastructure at Cape Canaveral, Florida, the planned launch site.

The company has shared updates via social media, showcasing the construction of the New Glenn rocket factory, the testing facilities, and Launch Complex 36. To date, Blue Origin has invested over $2.5 billion in the facilities and infrastructure required to support future launches.

The company is continuing to refine its plans and prepare for the first launch, even without the immediate pressure of meeting Space Force deadlines.