Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, has once again postponed the second launch of its powerful New Glenn rocket due to unpredictable weather patterns originating from above – intense solar activity currently dazzling skies across North America.
The planned Wednesday liftoff from Cape Canaveral, Florida was abruptly scrubbed just hours before its scheduled time. The reason? Concerns about the potential impact of these intensified solar flares on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, a crucial NASA mission headed for Mars and carried aboard New Glenn. A new launch date has yet to be determined.
This delay adds another chapter to the rocky rollout of Blue Origin’s ambitious heavy-lift rocket program. While its inaugural flight in January was largely successful, showcasing the capabilities of this behemoth, subsequent launches have faced a series of hurdles. This particular attempt was already facing significant delays – it was previously slated for Sunday but scrubbed due to weather concerns, the presence of an unanticipated cruise ship in the launch corridor, and technical issues with ground equipment.
Adding another layer of complexity is the fact that this mission marks New Glenn’s first time carrying a commercial payload. This increased responsibility emphasizes the cautious approach Blue Origin is taking as it seeks to solidify its place in the increasingly competitive commercial spaceflight industry.
