In March 2025, Blue Origin concluded its investigation into the failure of the booster landing after the inaugural flight of the New Glenn rocket, which took place on January 16, 2025. This analysis was conducted in collaboration with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which later accepted the findings and subsequent action plan proposed by Blue Origin.
Background on New Glenn’s First Flight
The New Glenn rocket, a significant venture for Blue Origin, sought to establish a reusable launch system capable of lifting heavy payloads into space. The inaugural flight achieved its primary mission of getting the upper stage into orbit, but the first stage faced complications that prevented a successful landing on the designated ocean platform.
The goal of the booster’s landing was to recover and reuse the stage, a financial and environmental strategy typical of modern space launch practices. This effort aimed to reduce the costs associated with space exploration, making it more sustainable and accessible.
Investigative Findings
The investigation identified that the failure was primarily attributed to an inability of the rocket's first stage to restart its engines as planned. This malfunction prevented a crucial re-entry burn that would have allowed the booster to safely land on the floating platform.
“The final mishap report identified that the proximate cause of the mishap was the failure in engine re-ignition, which ultimately led to the loss of the stage,” stated the FAA in their announcement.
Corrective Actions Identified
As part of the remedial measures, Blue Origin proposed seven corrective actions aimed at enhancing the functionality of the propulsion system and addressing additional safety concerns identified during the investigation. Although the details of these specific corrective actions were not disclosed, the focus was said to be on improvements in propellant management and engine bleed control.
Future Launch Plans
Following the investigation, Blue Origin revealed plans for a second launch of the New Glenn rocket, targeted for late spring 2025. This upcoming flight will again attempt a booster landing, with the company expressing optimism about the measures taken to improve the likelihood of success.
Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, stated that the company is eager to see the results of the corrective measures and has high confidence that they will allow the rocket's booster to achieve a successful landing on the next flight.
FAA Oversight
The FAA highlighted that a vital part of the launch licensing process includes ensuring all corrective actions are implemented before approving subsequent flights. The agency also announced it would continue monitoring Blue Origin's safety procedures and operational practices during the upcoming flights.
Comparative Analysis with SpaceX
Interestingly, on the same day as the New Glenn launch, SpaceX experienced issues with its Starship vehicle during its seventh test flight, which also resulted in a loss of the vehicle. The FAA conducted a separate investigation into this incident, revealing that stronger than anticipated vibrations caused hardware failures in the propulsion system.
These concurrent failures highlight the challenges both companies face in the evolving landscape of commercial space operations. Comparisons have emerged regarding their respective approaches towards issues of safety, engineering failures, and the propulsive technology they employ.
Further Considerations
The developments surrounding both Blue Origin's New Glenn and SpaceX's Starship indicate a shared commitment to achieving high levels of reliability and efficiency in launching systems. What remains to be seen is how each company will adapt based on lessons learned from their respective investigations.
Conclusion
Blue Origin is set to advance with renewed hopes for the New Glenn rocket after successfully completing its investigation into the initial flight's failure. With corrective actions in place and continued FAA oversight, the company aims to reclaim its trajectory in the highly competitive field of reusable launch vehicles.
