Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was set to launch from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday at 2:57 p.m.With 20 seconds until liftoff, the launch was put on hold. The rocket eventually lifted off successfully at 3:55 p.m. on Thursday.The booster landed on the platform located several hundred miles downrange in the Atlantic.The launch window opened at 2:57 p.m. and closed at 4:25 p.m., following delays due to space weather conditions.The launch was postponed on Wednesday due to highly elevated solar activity, which can be hazardous for rockets.This activity is a result of geomagnetic storms that also produce the aurora, also known as the northern lights. Sunday’s launch was also scrubbed due to adverse weather conditions on the ground.This mission is pivotal for Blue Origin, as acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy hinted that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration might select a different company for its Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the moon.Duffy suggested that Blue Origin could potentially replace SpaceX for this mission.Dr. Ken Kremer, a research chemist, said, “I think they have an excellent chance to get this contract.”Dr. Don Platt from Florida Tech emphasized the importance of the mission’s success, stating, “The most important thing is to make sure the escapade spacecraft is on the trajectory to Mars and so they’re able to put that into the proper orbit. Anything short of that is not a success.”
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was set to launch from Kennedy Space Center on Thursday at 2:57 p.m.
With 20 seconds until liftoff, the launch was put on hold.
The rocket eventually lifted off successfully at 3:55 p.m. on Thursday.
The booster landed on the platform located several hundred miles downrange in the Atlantic.
The launch window opened at 2:57 p.m. and closed at 4:25 p.m., following delays due to space weather conditions.
The launch was postponed on Wednesday due to highly elevated solar activity, which can be hazardous for rockets.
This activity is a result of geomagnetic storms that also produce the aurora, also known as the northern lights. Sunday’s launch was also scrubbed due to adverse weather conditions on the ground.
This mission is pivotal for Blue Origin, as acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy hinted that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration might select a different company for its Artemis III mission, which aims to return humans to the moon.
Duffy suggested that Blue Origin could potentially replace SpaceX for this mission.
Dr. Ken Kremer, a research chemist, said, “I think they have an excellent chance to get this contract.”
Dr. Don Platt from Florida Tech emphasized the importance of the mission’s success, stating, “The most important thing is to make sure the escapade spacecraft is on the trajectory to Mars and so they’re able to put that into the proper orbit. Anything short of that is not a success.”