Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp told employees on November 4 that New Glenn will return to flight in January 2027, missing the company's 2026 goal, according to Bloomberg. The Financial Times reported the delay first; Blue Origin declined to comment.
The rocket exploded during an engine test on May 28, 2026, destroying the vehicle and badly damaging the company's only New Glenn pad at Cape Canaveral. Rebuilding has taken about six months, which Limp blamed partly on bad summer weather. New Glenn has flown only three times since January 2025.
The delay ripples outward: the next flight was due to carry 48 Amazon Leo satellites, and the FCC has already cut Amazon's spectrum priority for satellites launched late. New Glenn is also meant to launch the Blue Moon lander NASA plans to use for Artemis landings.