Blue Origin delays first New Glenn launch two weeks to October 13, 2024
The first launch of Blue Origin’s new New Glenn orbital rocket, carrying two Rocket Lab Mars orbiters built for NASA, has now been delayed two weeks to October 13, 2024.
The decision was made public by a very short and vague press release by NASA that stated no reasons for the delay and did not say clearly who made the decision. The release also did not indicate the launch window for this mission. The mission is going to Mars, which means it must launch within a certain clearly degined period this fall, when orbital mechanics will allow the orbiters to reach Mars as planned, or the mission will get delayed two years.
Blue Origin had previously targeted September 29, 2024 for the launch, but I have not been able to locate any source that states when that launch window ends. The delay of two weeks definitely shortens that window, but I don’t know how much.
Can Blue Origin meet this window? That remains unknown, but we shall soon find out.
The first launch of Blue Origin’s new New Glenn orbital rocket, carrying two Rocket Lab Mars orbiters built for NASA, has now been delayed two weeks to October 13, 2024.
The decision was made public by a very short and vague press release by NASA that stated no reasons for the delay and did not say clearly who made the decision. The release also did not indicate the launch window for this mission. The mission is going to Mars, which means it must launch within a certain clearly degined period this fall, when orbital mechanics will allow the orbiters to reach Mars as planned, or the mission will get delayed two years.
Blue Origin had previously targeted September 29, 2024 for the launch, but I have not been able to locate any source that states when that launch window ends. The delay of two weeks definitely shortens that window, but I don’t know how much.
Can Blue Origin meet this window? That remains unknown, but we shall soon find out.