Science & Tech · Space · 1 hr ago
Blue Origin delays New Glenn rocket’s return to January 2027
Blue Origin has delayed New Glenn’s return to flight until January 2027.
The rocket is the company’s flagship vehicle, and its launchpad is at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
A May hot-fire test explosion badly damaged the launchpad, forcing the company to rebuild and change its setup.
Blue Origin had previously aimed to fly again by the end of 2026, but summer weather and construction delays pushed the schedule back.
The delay affects Amazon’s Leo satellite internet project, which depends partly on New Glenn launches; Amazon has used other launch providers in the meantime.
Blue Origin is also trying to compete with SpaceX for commercial and government launches, and the setback has hindered its effort to increase flight frequency.
The company now plans to resume New Glenn launches in January 2027, while continuing repairs to its Florida facilities.
Blue Origin has delayed the return of its New Glenn rocket to January 2027, from an earlier target of the end of 2026.
CEO Dave Limp told employees the schedule slipped because reconstruction of the Cape Canaveral launchpad was delayed, including by summer weather.
The launchpad was badly damaged in a May explosion during a hot-fire test.
The delay affects Amazon’s Leo satellite internet buildout, which relies in part on Blue Origin launches.
Blue Origin has also moved quickly to repair the facility and rework its launchpad configuration.
- Who
- Blue Origin, the company that builds and operates the New Glenn rocket.
- What
- It delayed New Glenn’s return to flight until January 2027.
- When
- The delay was reported on November 5, 2026. The new target is January 2027.
- Where
- At Blue Origin’s launch facility at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.
- Why
- Reconstruction of the launchpad was delayed, including because of bad weather over the summer.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
New Glenn exploded during a hot-fire test, badly damaging Blue Origin’s Florida launchpad.
Jeff Bezos said Blue Origin still expected New Glenn to fly again in December.
Dave Limp told employees the return-to-flight schedule had slipped.
Blue Origin set January 2027 as the target for New Glenn’s return to flight.
- New return-to-flight target
- January 2027
- Earlier target
- End of 2026
- Launch site
- Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida
- Launchpad damage
- Caused by a May 2026 hot-fire test explosion
- Amazon satellite deployment
- 48 Leo satellites were slated for deployment a few days after the explosion
3 sources
What people are saying
Returning New Glenn to flight remains our top priority — it's worth it.
This small adjustment doesn't diminish what we've accomplished or the importance of the work still ahead
rebuilding at this pace hasn't been easy.
In just six months, Team Blue has accomplished what many thought would take years.