Blue Origin Completes Investigation into New Glenn Launch Anomaly

Blue Origin has completed its investigation into the April 19 anomaly during the third flight of its New Glenn rocket, which resulted in the payload being placed in an incorrect orbit. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the company's report, allowing launches to resume.

The investigation determined that a cryogenic leak led to the freezing of a hydraulic line, causing a thrust anomaly during the second-stage engine burn. This issue prevented the BlueBird 7 satellite, intended for AST SpaceMobile, from reaching its designated orbit.

"Blue Origin identified nine corrective actions to prevent reoccurrence of the event," the FAA stated, without disclosing specific details. The agency will verify the implementation of these measures before the next New Glenn mission.

Blue Origin is preparing for its next launch, NG-4, with CEO Dave Limp sharing a video of a new vehicle being installed on a transporter-erector, indicating progress toward an integrated hotfire test. The company has not announced a schedule or customer for the upcoming mission.

AST SpaceMobile, the customer for the NG-3 mission, has shipped three BlueBird satellites to Florida for a planned launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 in June. Scott Wisniewski, AST's chief strategy officer, expressed optimism about Blue Origin's return to flight, noting that upper-stage anomalies are not uncommon early in programs.

The NG-3 mission, launched on April 19, initially appeared successful, with the first-stage booster landing on a drone ship. However, the second-stage anomaly resulted in the payload being placed in a lower-than-planned orbit, rendering the satellite inoperable. The FAA's approval of the investigation report marks a step forward for Blue Origin as it addresses the identified issues and resumes its launch schedule.