Blue Origin's Satellite Launch Failure

Why this matters: This failure impacts Blue Origin's credibility and its ability to compete with SpaceX in the space launch market. It also affects AST SpaceMobile's timeline for providing space-based cellular broadband services.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket experienced a significant failure during its recent launch from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The rocket successfully lifted off and the first-stage booster landed as planned. However, the upper stage failed to deliver AST SpaceMobile's 'BlueBird 7' satellite into the correct orbit. According to AST SpaceMobile, the satellite was placed into a lower than planned orbit.

This incident has led to the grounding of the New Glenn rocket, pending a thorough investigation by Blue Origin and the FAA. The company is working to understand the cause of the engine malfunction and implement the necessary fixes to prevent future occurrences.

For AST SpaceMobile, this setback poses challenges to its plans to deploy a network of satellites for space-based cellular broadband. The company still anticipates launching satellites every month or two, and the cost of the lost satellite is expected to be covered by insurance.

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Preliminary data suggests that one of the upper stage engines did not produce sufficient thrust.

The satellite was placed in a lower than planned orbit and will de-orbit due to its inability to sustain operations.

The failure has grounded New Glenn rocket launches pending investigation, impacting the company's ability to meet its launch schedule and compete with SpaceX.

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