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Blue Origin launched its third New Glenn rocket Sunday from Florida’s Space Coast, but the mission did not go as planned.AST SpaceMobile was attempting to send its BlueBird satellites into orbit aboard Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket.While the launch at first appeared to be successful, the AST SpaceMobile satellite was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit.The satellite did separate and turn on, but the company said the altitude is too low for it to work. Because of that, AST SpaceMobile said the BlueBird satellites will be de-orbited rather than used for service.Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said that initial data shows one BE-3U engine failed to produce enough thrust during the second GS2 burn, preventing the vehicle from reaching its planned orbit. The company expects the financial loss tied to the satellite to be recovered through its insurance policy. Despite that, the mission featured the second successful landing of the rocket’s reusable first-stage booster, named “Never Tell Me The Odds.” The booster touched down at 7:35 a.m. on Blue Origin’s drone ship, Jacklyn, stationed several hundred miles downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.
Blue Origin launched its third New Glenn rocket Sunday from Florida’s Space Coast, but the mission did not go as planned.
AST SpaceMobile was attempting to send its BlueBird satellites into orbit aboard Jeff Bezos’ New Glenn rocket.
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While the launch at first appeared to be successful, the AST SpaceMobile satellite was placed into a lower-than-planned orbit.
The satellite did separate and turn on, but the company said the altitude is too low for it to work.
Because of that, AST SpaceMobile said the BlueBird satellites will be de-orbited rather than used for service.
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said that initial data shows one BE-3U engine failed to produce enough thrust during the second GS2 burn, preventing the vehicle from reaching its planned orbit.
The company expects the financial loss tied to the satellite to be recovered through its insurance policy.
Despite that, the mission featured the second successful landing of the rocket’s reusable first-stage booster, named “Never Tell Me The Odds.”
The booster touched down at 7:35 a.m. on Blue Origin’s drone ship, Jacklyn, stationed several hundred miles downrange in the Atlantic Ocean.
