Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket launches successfully but fails to deploy satellite into correct orbit

(SeaPRwire) –   Blue Origin’s primary New Glenn rocket completed its third flight, marking the first time a booster was reused, though it failed to deliver its satellite payload to the correct orbital position.

The vehicle departed from Cape Canaveral, Florida, at roughly 7:25 a.m. local time. Its reusable first stage successfully landed on an Atlantic Ocean barge ten minutes later at 7:35 a.m.

Although the satellite detached from the second stage, Blue Origin confirmed on X that it reached an “off-nominal orbit,” or the incorrect path. The company is currently evaluating the satellite, which is operational, and expects to share further details.

As a cornerstone of Blue Origin’s space goals, New Glenn has faced significant delays and long gaps between missions. This latest complication may hinder the company’s efforts to establish itself as a primary competitor to SpaceX’s Falcon 9.

The mission carried a satellite for Texas-based AST SpaceMobile Inc., which is developing a direct-to-smartphone connectivity network. This represents the first launch of 2026 for AST, which began the year with seven satellites and aims to deploy up to 60 more by year-end.

Prior to the launch, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp told Bloomberg Television that he targets eight to 12 flights for the current year.

Limp stated that the company possesses the necessary hardware and highlighted the significant demand for launch services.

He noted that the need for launches is increasing, driven by the expansion of satellite-linked internet and connectivity options.

Following New Glenn’s January 2025 debut, Limp initially projected six to eight launches for that year, though only two were ultimately completed.

During its second flight in November, the company successfully retrieved the rocket’s booster for future reuse. Currently, Elon Musk’s SpaceX is the only other entity capable of vertical booster landings after orbital launches.

AST SpaceMobile is working to establish its network and launch commercial services amid intensifying competition from Amazon.com Inc. and SpaceX in the satellite-to-phone market.

On April 14, Amazon moved into this emerging sector by agreeing to purchase the satellite company Globalstar Inc.

Blue Origin has introduced several new ventures beyond launch services, such as an orbital data center project and a satellite network designed for government and data center connectivity.

In January, the firm announced a temporary halt to New Shepard space tourism flights to prioritize lunar technology. Both Blue Origin and SpaceX are under NASA contracts to create lunar landers for a scheduled 2028 moon mission.

Limp mentioned that there is a strong possibility the company’s Mark 1 lunar lander will attempt a moon landing later this year.