The launch review follows payload loss during the company’s third mission.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered Blue Origin to investigate an upper-stage issue that occurred during the third launch of the company’s New Glenn rocket last month. The rocket launched from Florida and successfully reused and landed its first-stage booster, but a problem during upper-stage flight prevented the payload, AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite, from reaching its intended orbit.
The agency stated, “The FAA will oversee the Blue Origin-led investigation, be involved in every step of the process, and approve Blue Origin’s final report, including any corrective actions.”
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the company believes one of the upper stage’s engines “didn’t produce sufficient thrust to reach our target orbit.”
AST SpaceMobile reported the satellite powered on after separation, but was placed too low to remain operational and will be deorbited.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Administrator Bedford and FAA officials as they require investigations into aerospace functions.
- For U.S. engineers, launch crews, and contractors as they prepare and conduct space missions.
- For Administrator Isaacman and NASA personnel as they coordinate space launch efforts with commercial partners and public agencies.
Sources: Tech Crunch, MSN, Space
