Blue Origin delays New Glenn return-to-flight to January, reveals new kick stage

First reported 06 Nov, 13:33 UTCSource: Ars Technica SpaceLast editorial activity 06 Nov, 13:33 UTCWrite a comment ↓

Reference image.Photo: NASA Authors & editors:… / Wikimedia Commons · Public domain
Full credit
File:Launch of the Roman Space Telescope (NASA livestream).webm / NASA Authors & editors: Robert Nemiroff, Jerry Bonnell, Cecilia Chirenti, Keighley Rockcliffe A service of: ASD at NASA / GSFC, NASA Science Activation & Michigan Tech. U. Random APOD Generator Yesterday's Image APOD: 2026 August 30 – M74: A Grand Design Spiral Tomorrow's Image / Launch of the Roman Space Telescope / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain / https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Launch_of_the_Roman_Space_Telescope_(NASA_livestream).webmSource page

Blue Origin used a single afternoon to unveil a new kick stage and a new rocket engine design for its New Glenn rocket, and to confirm a minor delay to the vehicle's return-to-flight mission. The company, based in Kent, moved that mission from December to January, according to a report from Ars Technica Space.

Schedule slips by about a month

The return-to-flight mission for New Glenn, Blue Origin's rocket, has been pushed back from December to January. The company described the change as minor and widely expected, and it was announced alongside the new kick stage and engine design on Thursday.

Blue Origin's wrecked launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, is still being rebuilt. The work is continuing after a catastrophic explosion that occurred nearly six months ago.

Kick stage and engine design revealed

The same afternoon brought the reveal of a new kick stage for New Glenn and a new rocket engine design. The facts available describe these announcements but do not give their technical specifications.

Water-fueled satellites from former SpaceX engineers

Three brothers who worked at SpaceX during the Falcon 9 era are now building satellites that run on water, according to Ars Technica Space. Water is a potentially harvestable resource on the Moon and is found throughout the Solar System, which makes it attractive as a propellant. In late 2022 the three Carlisle brothers founded Argo Space to build infrastructure in space, and SpaceX veterans are working on water-fed propulsion.

Japanese government support for Zero rocket

Separately, Interstellar Technologies has announced more government funding for the Japanese Zero rocket.

Open questions

Will the New Glenn return-to-flight mission launch in January as now planned?
When will the reconstruction of the Cape Canaveral launch pad be completed?