Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket puts satellite into wrong orbit

WESH 2 News · April 20, 2026 · 2:42 · English · News

Video from the channel WESH 2 News about New Glenn, linked on its Above Ten Thousand entry. Duration: 2:42. Language: English. Video type: News.

Report by WESH 2 on a New Glenn launch from Cape Canaveral in April 2026 that failed to meet its objective. Blue Origin recovered the booster again, landing for the second time in five months, but AST SpaceMobile's satellite ended up in an orbit that was too low.

According to Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp, early data suggests that during the second burn of the GS2 stage, one of the BE-3 engines did not produce enough thrust. AST SpaceMobile said the satellite separated and powered up, but that at that altitude it cannot maintain itself with its thrusters and will be deorbited.

The report points to possible delays in Blue Origin's test program for its lunar lander for Artemis III. The company will investigate the failure under FAA oversight.