Blue Origin pushes New Glenn launch to January 2027
Blue Origin has shifted the New Glenn launch to January 2027 after a May 2026 explosion severely damaged its Cape Canaveral launchpad. The rebuild has been slowed by hot summer weather and recent flash floods, according to CEO Dave Limp’s internal memo. The 30‑storey, 322‑foot heavy‑lift rocket was originally slated for a late‑2026 launch and will carry 48 Amazon Leo satellites.
Key facts
- New Glenn stands 30 storeys tall, about 322 feet high.
- Northstar engine delivers 715,000 lb thrust, exceeding the BE‑4’s 640,000 lb.
- Northstar’s manufacturing cost is roughly one‑quarter that of a BE‑4.
- Northstar uses half the parts and about 30 % less mass than the BE‑4, with 65 % 3D‑printed.
- Blue Origin is developing a hydrogen‑oxygen third stage, GS3, for New Glenn.
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Why it matters
The delay pushes back a major commercial launch and satellite deployment schedule.
What changed
First published from CNA, CNBC, The Verge, Space.com and Engadget