Blue Origin Delays New Glenn’s Return to January 2027

Blue Origin has moved its next New Glenn launch to January 2027, extending a delay caused by damage to its Florida launch facilities. The rocket’s May launchpad explosion occurred during a hot-test and halted further launches while repairs were carried out.

The company had previously aimed to fly before the end of 2026. In October, founder Jeff Bezos said a December launch was the target, joking that it might happen on December 31. The new January window is roughly 10 days later than the earlier target cited in company planning.

Chief Executive Dave Limp told staff that weather had slowed reconstruction. His memo said the Vehicle Access Tower had been repaired and reassembled, while the launch bridge had also been restored. Limp praised employees’ work and said the delay did not lessen the importance of the remaining tasks.

New Glenn’s return to flight is important to Blue Origin’s plans to launch satellites for Amazon Leo’s broadband service. In September, the company also secured a NASA contract to establish a telecommunications network for Mars. The next launch is now expected in January, rather than before the end of this year.