New Glenn during its Integrated Static Fire earlier this month. Photo: Blue Origin
Everything appears to be ready at the launch pad for the maiden launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, but weather offshore has forced at least a two-day delay in the company’s first launch attempt of the 320-foot tall rocket.
New Glenn Launch Update: We're shifting our NG-1 launch date to no earlier than January 12 due to a high sea state in the Atlantic where we hope to land our booster. Our three-hour window remains the same, opening Sunday at 1 a.m. EST (0600 UTC).
The ECWMF forecast model is calling for 12-foot seas overnight tonight, as Blue Origin indicates in their post on X. On Sunday morning, things aren’t predicted to improve much, with 12-14 foot seas in the general vicinity of Blue Origin’s recovery vessel, Jacklyn and its support ship, Harvey Stone.
Position of Jacklyn and Harvey Stone on January 9, 2024
The now-deleted LME from the 45th Weather Squadron corroborates what the commercial forecast models are saying. The 48 hour forecast — for Sunday morning — is also calling for high seas:
Via 45th Weather Squadron of Space Launch Delta 45 Retrieved 01/09/2025 07:00 am EST
For their part, the 45th will release a new LME forecast prior to Sunday’s attempt.
With those forecasts in mind, do not be surprised if Blue Origin is forced to shift New Glenn’s launch date to the right sometime over the weekend. On the other hand, it’s the weather, and it’s the ocean, two things that are well known to defy forecasts.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has fined Blue Origin $3000 plus costs for conducting a static fire of New Glenn’s second stage prior to the department issuing the company a permit to use Launch Complex 36’s water deluge system. The total amount came to $3,250, a nominal fine for the violation.
LC-36’s water deluge system in action in September 2024 as Blue Origin conducted a second stage static fire on the launch pad. Credit: Blue Origin
As a result, FDEP notified Blue Origin that they had violated the law, saying, “While Blue Origin applied for a permit for the LC-36 deluge system on May 31, 2024, no permit has been issued to date and the system may not be placed into service. This static fire appears to constitute an intentional unauthorized discharge of untreated industrial wastewater to the environment.”
Starlink 6-71 ascending towards orbit on January 6, 2024 Photo: Ed Cordero / Florida Media Now
SpaceX launched another set of Starlink satellites to low-Earth orbit today from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Space Launch Complex 40 aboard a Falcon 9. Liftoff was at 3:43 PM ET (2043 UTC) after several pushbacks in the window, presumably due to windy weather from an approaching cold front expected to arrive this evening on the Space Coast.
Around 8.2 minutes after liftoff, Booster B1077 successfully completed its 17th mission when it touched down offshore on ASDS ‘Just Read The Instructions’, which was positioned offshore near The Bahamas. Previously, previously launched Crew-5, CRS-28, Intelsat G-37, Optus-X, Immarsat I6-F2, GPS III-6, NG-20, and nine Starlink missions.
JRTI will now return to Port Canaveral, where the booster will be offloaded and returned to SpaceX’s Hangar X facility for inspection and any needed refurbishment prior to its next flight.
Spectators watch the liftoff of Falcon 9 from Titusville. Photo: Michael Lynch / Talk of Titusville
At 8:39 into flight, Falcon 9’s second stage and the Starlink payload achieved their initial elliptical orbit, which was rounded by a short second burn at the 54:03 mark of the mission. Payload deployment was one hour, five minutes and twelve seconds after liftoff, marking a successful end to SpaceX’s second mission in 2025 from the Eastern Range.
24 Starlink Mini v2 satellites, which will join Group 6 of Starlink’s orbital Internet connectivity constellation. Currently, there are over 6,900 Starlink satellites in orbit, according to Dr. Jonathon McDowell of the Harvard–Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics.
Starlink Mini v2 satellites being deployed. This photo was provided by SpaceX last year and was not from today’s mission. Photo: SpaceX
Launch Replay
Next Launch
SpaceX plans to launch Starlink 12-11 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
Date: NET January 8, 2025
Organization: SpaceX
Mission: Starlink 12-11
Rocket: Falcon 9
Launch Site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center
Launch Window: 10:24 AM – 2:55 PM EST
Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.
SpaceX launched the Thuraya-4 satellite for Yahsat / Space 42 this evening from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Liftoff was at 8:27 PM EST (0027 UTC) on a cool evening on the Space Coast.
Tonight’s launch was the first from the Eastern Range in 2025 in what is expected to be another record year for launches from the combined facilities of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Kennedy Space Center.
Around 8.25 minutes after lifting off, Booster B1073 completed its 20th mission when it touched down on ASDS ‘A Shortfall Of Gravitas’, which was stationed offshore downrange. ASOG and B1073 will now return to Port Canaveral for offloading and preparation for B1073’s next flight.
The second stage and payload achieved its initial orbit at about eight minutes into the flight, and that orbit was rounded about twenty-eight minutes later, with a successful payload deployment shortly after the 35th minute of the mission.
Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite built by Airbus UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat). It is built on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform and will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload capable of processing providing 3200 channels over a large number of spot beams.
Thuraya is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat), a public company and subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya is the UAE’s first home-grown satellite operator.
Thuraya 4 rendering, released by Yahsat.
Launch Replay
Next Launch
SpaceX is planning to launch Starlink 6-71 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center NET Monday, January 6, 2025. The launch window opens at 11:44 AM EST (1644 UTC) and closes at 4:15 PM (2115 UTC) the same day.
Date: NET January 6, 2025
Organization: SpaceX
Mission: Starlink 6-71
Rocket: Falcon 9
Launch Site: SLC-40, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Launch Window: 11:43 AM – 4:15 PM EST
Payload: Starlink satellites for SpaceX’s ISP constellation.
A relatively large group of spectators lined the banks of the Indian River in Titusville to view tonight’s launch. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
The US Space Force announced today that it has suspended their “Trusted Traveler” program at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Patrick Space Force Base, both in Brevard County.
The Trusted Traveler program allows valid DoD ID card holders to enter a military base without the requirement for occupants of the same vehicle to present identification. There are other uses, like food delivery services, that have also benefitted from the now suspended program.
The Trusted Traveler program does not apply to restricted areas, airfields, heliports, or obviously, launch pads.
At this time, it is unknown how this will affect public access to the Cape Canaveral Space Force Museum’s exhibits at Launch Complex 26 and Hangar C, both of which are inside the security perimeter for CCSFS.
Space Launch Delta 45 Statement
“The Trusted Traveler program has been suspended at Patrick SFB and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station until further notice. Any individuals WITHOUT a DoD-approved access credential (e.g. CAC, dependent ID, retiree ID) will be required to obtain a visitor pass, even when traveling with a DoD ID card holder. The Visitors Control Center is not manned on the weekends, so passes will only be processed at the East Gate.
-Members in housing who currently have family members visiting will be required to get visitor passes and all new visitors will require passes.
-Golfers with an annual base pass can no longer bring or sponsor additional visitors.
-Food delivery drivers who do not have base access will no longer be authorized on base. All food deliveries will be picked up at the East Gate.
-Event Bright tickets for launches will be terminated.
Although there are currently no known threats to the installations, we are taking this step to ensure the safety and security of our personnel, residents, and visitors. We encourage everyone accessing the base to be prepared for additional screening protocols. For more information and to learn how to obtain a visitor pass, please visit:
Following the link to the Visitor Control Center page, some insight as to the reasoning of the DoD decision (this also affects other bases and other service branches) may be found:
As of Jan. 3, 2025, Patrick Space Force Base and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will implement new base access security enhancements, and the Trusted Traveler Program will be suspended until further notice. All visitors will be required to obtain a base pass, even when traveling with a military ID card holder. This decision was made to ensure the safety and security of the personnel, residents, and visitors.
Given the terror attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas in recent days, the decision seems to be a prudent one for the time being. For official information, follow the link above or consult your command structure if you are a service member.
SpaceX Falcon 9 launching BlueBird 1-5 on September 12, 2024. Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
2025 is here, and it won’t take long for the Eastern Range to open its new year for the facility: SpaceX plans to launch the Thuraya 4-NGS satellite for UAE based Yahsat on Friday evening, while preparations for Blue Origin to the fly New Glenn on its maiden launch continue apace, with a target date of early Monday morning.
Quick Glance At The Year To Come
There were 93 launches from KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in 2024, with the bulk of those launches being SpaceX / Falcon 9 missions. In 2025, Elon Musk said “Probably [greater than] 180 Falcon launches in 2025” and the bulk of those will be from here on the Space Coast.
United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno said ULA has 20missions on its 2025 manifest. Payload readiness will be the apparent limiting limiting factor, according to Bruno, and like Falcon 9, the bulk of those missions will launch from the company’s Eastern Range launch pad at Space Launch Complex 41.
Blue Origin will also add to the launch count, with several New Glenn missions slated to lift off from LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The current target for the year has not been stated by the company, and much depends on the success of the first flew flights of the new rocket.
All in all, it is fair to say that like 2024, the record for the number of launches from Florida will be broken come year’s end.
SpaceX
SpaceX has two launches on the schedule for this weekend.
Thuraya 4-NGS – Friday 3 January – 08:27 PM – 12:53 AM EST
Starlink 6-71 – Sunday 5 January – 12:10PM – 4:41 PM EST
Thuraya 4
A SpaceX Falcon 9 lifts off carrying the GSAT-20 mission on November 18, 2024
Photo: Charles Boyer / ToT
Thuraya 4-NGS is a communication satellite built by Airbus UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat). It is built on the all-electric Airbus Eurostar-Neo Platform and will incorporate a large 12-meter L-band antenna and a payload capable of processing providing 3200 channels over a large number of spot beams.
Thuraya is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the UAE-based Al Yah Satellite Communications Company P.J.S.C. (Yahsat), a public company and subsidiary of Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya is the UAE’s first home-grown satellite operator.
Formed in 2008 and publicly traded on the Abu Dhabi Securities Exchange, Yahsat serves customers in 150 countries across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia. They offer voice, data, video and internet services for broadcast, Internet, and VSAT users for both private and government organizations.
Thuraya 4 rendering, released by Yahsat.
Thuraya 4 will be aboard Falcon 9 and launch from Space Launch Complex 40 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Via Space Launch Delta 45 of the US Air Force on 1/1/2025
Starlink 6-71
SpaceX plans to add to its ever-growing Starlink constellation with the Starlink 6-71 mission. There are around 6,800 Starlink satellites in orbit currently, with several thousand more planned. The mission will carry another batch of 20-23 Starlink Mini V2 units to join the company’s Group 6 band of satellites.
Starlink launching in 2023 from SLC-40 in Cape Canaveral.
Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
Falcon 9 will be again be the workhorse for this mission, also planned to launch from SLC-40 on Sunday afternoon, with the window opening at 12:10 PM EST.
Neither launch has been officially announced by SpaceX, so stay tuned.
Blue Origin
After completing its integrated vehicle hotfire test and wet dress rehearsal successfully, Blue Origin appears to be planning to launch New Glenn from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in the wee hours of Monday morning with the launch window opening at 01:00 AM EST on January 6th.
New Glenn during successful integrated vehicle hotfire. Photo: Blue Origin
Following the hotfire, Blue Origin’s prime investor and driving force, Jeff Bezos said succinctly, “Next stop launch.”
This will be the first flight of the 320-foot tall rocket for the company. Aboard will be test components for Blue Ring.
Despite the late (or early?) hour that Blue Origin plans to launch New Glenn, this is likely one of the launches of the year from the Eastern Range. That’s because New Glenn is large, and mighty with 3.8 million pounds of thrust coming from seven Blue Origin BE-4 engines. This promises to be a loud rocket, and one well worth watching.
The launch window extends from 01:00 AM EST (0600Z) to 04:45 AM (1045Z) the same day.
You must be logged in to post a comment.