Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Grounded After Failed Satellite Deployment

On April 19, 2026, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking its third mission. Initially successful, the mission ended in failure when the rocket's upper stage malfunctioned, preventing the deployment of the AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite into the intended orbit. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has since grounded the New Glenn rocket pending an investigation into the incident.

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The New Glenn rocket, standing at 322 feet (98 meters), successfully lifted off and its reusable first stage, named "Never Tell Me the Odds," landed as planned on the droneship "Jacklyn" in the Atlantic Ocean. However, during the second burn of the upper stage, one of the BE-3U engines failed to produce sufficient thrust, resulting in the satellite being deployed into an "off-nominal orbit." Consequently, AST SpaceMobile announced that the satellite would be deorbited as it could not reach a usable altitude.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 “lost” by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket launch

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp acknowledged the failure, stating, "We clearly didn’t deliver the mission our customer wanted, and our team expects." He confirmed that the company is collaborating with AST SpaceMobile and the FAA during the ongoing investigation. The FAA will oversee the inquiry and approve any corrective actions before New Glenn can resume flights.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 “lost” by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket launch

The failure raises concerns about Blue Origin's reliability as it seeks to establish itself as a competitive alternative to SpaceX in the commercial launch market. The New Glenn rocket is crucial for upcoming missions, including the launch of the Blue Moon lunar lander for NASA's Artemis program. The incident could delay these plans, as Blue Origin needs to demonstrate reliability to secure contracts for national security launches.

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The mishap has drawn scrutiny regarding the design and operational capabilities of AST SpaceMobile's satellite, which is significantly heavier than many of its competitors. Observers have suggested that the satellite's size may have contributed to the deployment failure. Additionally, AST SpaceMobile experienced a notable drop in share price following the incident, reflecting investor concerns about the impact on its ambitious plans to deploy a constellation of satellites.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 “lost” by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket launch

The FAA's investigation is expected to take several months, during which Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket will remain grounded. The outcome of this inquiry will determine the timeline for future launches, including critical missions for NASA's Artemis program. Blue Origin has expressed confidence in its ability to learn from this setback and return to flight operations.

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• “While we are pleased with the nominal booster recovery, we clearly didn't deliver the mission our customer wanted, and our team expects.” — Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 “lost” by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin New Glenn rocket launch

• “The FAA will oversee the Blue Origin -led investigation, be involved in every step of the process, and approve Blue Origin's final report, including any corrective actions,” — FAA Statement

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This incident underscores the challenges faced by new entrants in the competitive space launch market, as Blue Origin navigates the complexities of rocket reliability and customer expectations.

Despite Orbit Blues, Blue Origin Joins An Exclusive Heavy Lift Reuse Club