Blue Origin has postponed the second launch of the New Glenn rocket until at least mid-August 2025. The company's CEO, Dave Limp, confirmed that the eight launches planned for this year will not be carried out, writes Arc Technica.
The rocket's first flight took place in January, but it has been five months since then without another launch. The second mission, called Never Tell Me the Odds , will attempt to return the booster. The rocket is expected to carry NASA's ESCAPADE mission to orbit, but according to Ars Technica, launch is unlikely to happen until September.
Amid the delays, the company has made personnel changes. Vice President of Engines Linda Cova and New Glenn Program Manager Jarrett Jones are leaving. The company says it's a planned "well-deserved annual leave," but its timing with the launch delays raises questions.
Despite this, production of the GS2 second stage and BE-4 engines continues. In 2025, eight stages are planned to be assembled - the same number as the annual launch plan.
Blue Origin is looking to ramp up its launch schedule, particularly amid strained relations between the White House and SpaceX. The U.S. government is looking for alternative ways to launch cargo into orbit, and the success of New Glenn could secure the company some of the contracts.
Meanwhile, Amazon, also controlled by Jeff Bezos, has already delivered a batch of Kuiper satellites to Cape Canaveral, but due to delays with the launch of New Glenn, these missions will be carried out by SpaceX's Falcon 9.
Recall that recently, Blue Origin sent pop singer and songwriter Katy Perry into space along with five other women.