leah 🔃 🚀 🦅

BREAKING: Blue Origin has delayed the return of its New Glenn rocket until January 2027, following a massive explosion that destroyed critical launch infrastructure earlier this year. In an internal memo to employees (pictured), CEO Dave Limp confirmed the company is abandoning its previous goal of resuming launches before the end of 2026. New Glenn has been grounded since May 28, when an explosion during engine testing severely damaged Blue Origin's only operational New Glenn launchpad at Cape Canaveral. The company traced the failure to an oxygen valve on one of the rocket's BE-4 engines and has spent months rebuilding the pad and redesigning launch operations. Despite restoring major sections of the launch complex, construction delays and severe weather have pushed the next flight into January. The delay creates additional pressure on Blue Origin as it works to fulfill launch commitments for Amazon's satellite constellation and NASA's Artemis lunar program. The new timeline was first reported by the Financial Times and confirmed by Reuters.