Topics
late
AI
Amazon
Image Credits:Blue Origin(opens in a new window)
Apps
Biotech & Health
mood
Image Credits:Blue Origin(opens in a new window)
Cloud Computing
Commerce
Crypto
initiative
EVs
Fintech
fundraise
Gadgets
stake
Government & Policy
Hardware
layoff
Media & Entertainment
Meta
Microsoft
Privacy
Robotics
security measure
Social
Space
Startups
TikTok
Transportation
Venture
More from TechCrunch
outcome
Startup Battlefield
StrictlyVC
Podcasts
Videos
Partner Content
TechCrunch Brand Studio
Crunchboard
touch Us
The world will have to wait a little longer to see Blue Origin ’s monumental New Glenn rocket fly for the first time .
That projectile had been schedule to launch two ballistic capsule to Mars for NASA during an eight - daytime window that open up on October 13 . But NASA announced on Friday that it was pushing the delegation , called ESCAPADE , to fountain 2025 , citing potential cost and proficient issue with Diamond State - fueling the two satellites . New Glenn will now launch some of the fellowship ’s own technology in November instead .
The first launching of a new rocket salad always poses enormous risk , both to the launching vehicle and the payload , and Blue Origin has been racing to get New Glenn quick for launching in a month ’s time . Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp acknowledged in a post on X that there was still much to do : “ Still lots to do but progress,”he said .
late reporting from Bloomberg , which let on major testing failuresof New Glenn hardware , also suggests that the time frame was challenging .
An October launching would ’ve seen the spacecraft arrive in Mars ’ orbit in former September 2025 . It ’s indecipherable how long the transit time to Mars will be with the new launch windowpane . NASA did not respond to TechCrunch ’s query by issue time .
Instead of the ESCAPADE spacecraft , the first New Glenn commission , which has been push to November , will carry Blue Ring engineering . It will also be the first certification flight under the Space Force ’s National Security Space Launch ( NSSL ) program . Blue Origin must fill in two successful New Glenn missions before it can start launching national security payloads under NSSL .
industriousness insiders say that NASA defy a critical meeting yesterday on whether to fire the two spacecraft ; while NASA declined to point out , in a assertion it essentially substantiate that the peril of a launch holdup after fire were ultimately too enceinte : “ The determination was made to avoid significant cost , schedule , and expert challenges associated with potentially remove fuel from the space vehicle in the upshot of a launching delay , which could be because of a numeral of factors . ”
Join us at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
Exhibit at TechCrunch Sessions: AI
The ballistic capsule , which were construct by Rocket Lab , use hypergolic propellants that are highly toxic . Christophe Mandy , the leash system engineer for the ESCAPADE mission at Rocket Lab , told TechCrunchin an interview last monththat having to fuel , and then de - fuel , the spacecraft introduces risk to the two satellites .
“ If we are fuel , and then we have to Delaware - fuel , get the spacecraft cleaned increases various forms of peril in the spacecraft , which need to be handled , ” he say . “ So if they ’ve been fueled , it opens up a certain amount of workplace so as to make the space vehicle back ready to establish . ”
