Blue Origin pushes New Glenn's return-to-flight launch into January 2027 after Cape Canaveral pad explosion

In brief

• Blue Origin has moved the next New Glenn launch to January 2027, about 10 days later than its earlier December target.
• The delay follows a May explosion at the Cape Canaveral launch pad, which is still being rebuilt.
• NASA, Amazon and the U.S. Space Force are waiting for New Glenn to return to service.

New launch window

Blue Origin has moved its next New Glenn launch to January 2027, according to a memo from CEO Dave Limp to staff, as reported by CNBC and the Financial Times (Blue Origin’s next launch now won’t happen until 2027 – The Verge) (Blue Origin pushes launch to January 2027 as it races to rebuild damaged launch pad – CNBC) (Blue Origin delays New Glenn rocket launch into January, FT reports – Investing.com). The revised window sits roughly 10 days later than the company's earlier target, which had been December.

Pad damage and rebuild

The delay follows a launchpad explosion in May at Cape Canaveral, Florida, that damaged the New Glenn pad ahead of a flight meant to carry Amazon Leo satellites into orbit (Rocket Report: Artemis II literally tore through the atmosphere; New Glenn delay – Ars Technica). Reconstruction of the pad has continued since then, and the work is the main factor setting the timeline.

Earlier target

The later date means that goal was missed.

Customers waiting

NASA, Amazon and the U.S. Space Force have been pressing for New Glenn to return to service, and the delay extends the wait for each of them.

Other company news

On the same day, Blue Origin disclosed a new kick stage for New Glenn and a new engine design. Those announcements did not change the launch date, which the company set separately in the memo.