Blue Origin Postpones New Glenn Launch Due to Weather Constraints
Blue Origin delayed the launch of its New Glenn rocket carrying NASA's ESCAPADE mission due to weather violations, rescheduling for November 12.
Blue Origin has postponed the launch of its New Glenn rocket, originally scheduled for Sunday, November 9, due to unfavorable weather conditions at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The mission, carrying NASA's ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) spacecraft, aims to study Mars' magnetosphere and atmospheric loss.
The delay was attributed to the 'cumulus cloud rule,' a safety protocol that prohibits launches through cumulus clouds with tops extending into freezing temperatures, as they may contain hazardous electric fields.
'Today's NG-2 launch is scrubbed due to weather, specifically the cumulus cloud rule,' Blue Origin announced on X. 'We're reviewing opportunities for our next launch attempt based on forecasted weather.'
The company has rescheduled the launch for no earlier than Wednesday, November 12, with a window from 2:50 PM to 4:17 PM EST.
New Glenn, a partially reusable rocket, is set for its second flight following its inaugural launch in January. The upcoming mission includes an attempt to land the first-stage booster on a platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
The ESCAPADE mission consists of twin probes designed to simultaneously study Mars from different locations, providing insights into the planet's response to space weather and changes in its magnetosphere over time.