LC-36

New Glenn NG-1 standing tall at LC-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station earlier this year. In the foreground is the lightkeeper’s house at the Cape Canaveral Lighthouse.

Blue Origin has delayed the launch of its second New Glenn rocket to no earlier than Sept. 29. After flying a successful mission in January, Blue had stated that the target date for NG-2 was first in “late spring,” and later adjusted to NET August 15.

The prime mission for the launch is NASA’s ESCAPADE mission. New Glenn will carry two small satellites tasked with studying the Martian magnetosphere, and will be New Glenn’s first interplanetary mission and the first multi-spacecraft orbital science mission aimed at Mars. NG-2 will also carry a technology demonstration payload for ViaSat, in support of NASA’s Space Operations Mission Directorate’s Communications Services Project.

A tertiary goal for this mission will be a successful landing of the New Glenn first stage on the company’s landing platform, which will be stationed downrange offshore in the Atlantic. Blue plans to fly as many as 25 missions with each booster, targeting significant cost reduction and operational efficiency for each flight, and is considered to be a necessity for the long-term financial viability of the company.

Blue Origin's recovery ship, Jacklyn
Blue Origin’s recovery ship, Jacklyn, while docked in Port Canaveral. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville

Finally, a successful second flight will serve as another technology demonstration for future customers, namely the Department of Defense, NASA and Amazon. Blue was awarded National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 2 heavy-lift provider status, and is a $2.4 billion contract for the company. Amazon has also contracted New Glenn for at least 12 launches of its Project Kuiper satellites, and Blue Origin itself is building out its first lunar lander, Blue Moon Mk1, part of its lunar lander services contract with NASA and the Artemis Program. That spacecraft will need a ride on New Glenn as well.

Whether Blue launches in September remains to be seen. Delays in new launch systems are hardly uncommon, and on its second flight, Blue Origin has a full plate payload and operations-wise. To successfully achieve each objective, the company will be sure to double, triple, quadruple check every component and procedure leading up to the launch, and then they’ll probably check again after that just to be sure. That takes time, and if any issues are found, it will take time to resolve them. The old axiom of “fly only when you’re ready” still applies.

So, as always, stay tuned. There’s more to come.

Blue Origin New Glenn launch
Blue Origin’s New Glenn on its debut launch in January. Photo: Charles Boyer / Talk of Titusville
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Blue Origin's New Glenn First Stage arriving at Launch Complex 36. Photo: Blue Origin
A Blue Origin BE-4 engine being test fired.
Photo: Blue Origin
Water Deluge Permit Needed For New Glenn Sound Suppression System at LC-36

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has granted Blue Orgin’s application for a water deluge system at Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. It now appears that Blue Origin now has no remaining regulatory hurdles prior to the planned static fire of New Glenn’s first stage and its eventual launch at some point in the near future.

Blue Origin implemented the water deluge system to suppress sound and manage the intense acoustic energy generated during New Glenn launches. When engine exhaust gases surpass the speed of sound, they collide with the surrounding air, creating shockwaves and noise levels reaching nearly 200 decibels. This powerful energy can reflect off the launch platform and pad surfaces, potentially damaging the rocket or its payload. A water deluge system works to absorb or deflect that energy, helping to protect critical components during liftoff. It is used by all major launch service providers and NASA itself for SLS.

At the Eastern Range (KSC and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station), the Florida Department of Environmental Protection handles environmental permitting for a water deluge system. Without the FDEP permit, Blue Origin could not legally use the new LC-36 water deluge system, and as such, they could not conduct a full New Glenn S1 test firing.

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