Blue Origin will now attempt New Glenn launch on January 16

Blue Origin has announced that it will attempt the New Glenn launch for the second time on January 16. This decision comes after the company missed the first launch opportunity due to some vehicle-related issues.

The first flight was set for January 13 at 1 a.m. EST launch window but the company kept on adding time to launch counter. It added the time at least five times before calling a scrub for a flight attempt. At that time, Blue Origin said the attempt was scrubbed to troubleshoot a vehicle subsystem issue.

Later today, the rocket maker revealed further information explaining that ice was forming in a purge line on an auxiliary power unit that powers some of Blue Origin’s hydraulic systems.

Blue Origin New Glenn on the launch pad (Credit – Blue Origin)

This issue could cause damage to the power unit and other hydraulic system components. Eventually, it could malfunction the entire launch system, posing a risk to the safety of the rocket, crew, and surrounding areas. This will disrupt the launch even before the rocket gets off the ground.

New Glenn is a 320-foot-tall two-stage rocket, which features a reusable first stage with the ability to land on a droneship. As an inaugural flight, the company aims for a safe launch and orbit insertion.

In the past week, Blue Origin has shifted two launch opportunities due to the bad weather at launch complex 36 and this new decision could be related to the same issue. However, the teams involved in this launch will also get more time to diagnose the vehicle and apply patches.

The second Blue Origin rocket liftoff attempt will happen on January 16 with a three-hour launch window at 1 a.m. EST.

(source)