\n Published on
\n 10\/11\/2025 – 12:40 GMT+1\n <\/p>\n
Jeff Bezos\u2019 space company Blue Origin scrapped a planned launch for its New Glenn megarocket on Sunday afternoon, rescheduling it for Wednesday at the earliest. <\/p>\n
The company said on X that weather was to blame, citing the \u201ccumulus cloud rule\u201d that prevents rocket launches through clouds that are known to contain hazardous electrical fields.<\/p>\n
\u201cOur next launch attempt is no earlier than Wednesday, November 12, due to forecasted weather and sea state conditions,\u201d Blue Origin said.<\/p>\n
The company added that it worked with the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to secure a new launch window on Wednesday evening local time, bypassing the commercial rocket launch ban due to the US government shutdown.<\/p>\n
The \u201cNG-2\u201d launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida will be New Glenn\u2019s second mission, as well as its first commercial flight. <\/p>\n
As part of the American space agency NASA\u2019s ESCAPADE mission, the rocket will send two identical spacecraft to Mars, where they will orbit the Red Planet to measure the dynamics of its magnetic field and atmosphere.<\/p>\n
New Glenn will also transport Viasat technology in support of NASA\u2019s Communications Services Project, according to Blue Origin.<\/p>\n
A giant, reusable rocket planned for commercial use<\/p>\n
Named after the first American to orbit Earth, New Glenn is one of the largest vehicles ever built \u2013 standing at more than 98 metres with a capacity to carry a payload twice as big as standard five-metre class commercial launch systems.<\/p>\n
It can carry more than 13 metric tonnes to geostationary transit orbit and 45 metric tonnes to low Earth orbit.<\/p>\n
New Glenn\u2019s biggest selling point is the fact that it is reusable \u2013 its first stage is designed for a minimum of 25 flights. It also uses cleaner fuel \u2013 the upper stage is powered by liquid hydrogen and the first stage is powered by liquid oxygen and liquefied natural gas.<\/p>\n
The company says these features make it more affordable and sustainable for a variety of paying clients.<\/p>\n