Blue Origin New Glenn launch puts AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 into wrong orbit

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral but placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 communications satellite into the wrong low Earth orbit. Although the satellite separated and powered on, the altitude is too low for its thruster technology to sustain operations. AST SpaceMobile plans to de-orbit the spacecraft as investigations continue.

Blue Origin said its New Glenn rocket placed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into the wrong orbit. The company said the satellite’s low altitude made direct-to-device service impossible. AST SpaceMobile said the spacecraft separated and powered on. AST SpaceMobile also said BlueBird 7 will be de-orbited.

The Federal Aviation Administration said Blue Origin must run a mishap investigation before New Glenn flies again. The FAA said it will oversee the inquiry and approve the final report. Return to flight depends on FAA findings on public safety. The rocket remains grounded while investigators review the failure.

Blue Origin New Glenn orbit error and FAA mishap investigation

In a Monday afternoon tweet, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp gave an early technical view. "Early data suggest that on our second GS2 burn, one of the BE-3U engines didnt produce sufficient thrust to reach our target orbit,\" Limp said. The issue appeared during a planned burn for orbital insertion.

Limp said Blue Origin is running the anomaly review under FAA oversight. \"Blue Origin is leading the anomaly investigation with FAA oversight to learn from the data and implement the improvements needed to quickly return to flight operations,\" he said. Limp also said teams stayed in contact with AST SpaceMobile.

Limp added, \"We have been in steady communication with the team at AST SpaceMobile. We appreciate their partnership, and were looking forward to many flights together,\" Limp said. The comment came as both companies assessed the mission outcome. Blue Origin has not shared a timeline for the report.

AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 satellite status and insurance recovery

AST SpaceMobile said BlueBird 7’s altitude is too low for its onboard thruster technology. The company said the orbit cannot support sustained operations. The post-launch statement said the satellite will be de-orbited. AST SpaceMobile also said the cost should be recovered through insurance.

BlueBird 7 was expected to support AST SpaceMobile’s space-based cellular broadband network. The spacecraft would have been the company’s eighth satellite in low Earth orbit. AST SpaceMobile said it is building satellites through BlueBird 32. The company said BlueBird 8 to 10 should be ready to ship in about 30 days.

Blue Origin New Glenn mission record and NASA lunar lander work

Sunday’s New Glenn launch was the rocket’s third mission. The rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Sunday morning. Blue Origin said the first stage booster landed on a drone ship. The ship was stationed hundreds of miles offshore in the Atlantic.

India also supported AST SpaceMobile’s deployment plans with an earlier launch. India’s Launch Vehicle Mark-3 sent BlueBird 6 from ISRO’s spaceport at Sriharikota. The launch took place on December 23 last year. That mission added another satellite for the planned network.

Blue Origin is also working with NASA on future lunar missions. NASA has hired Blue Origin for landers to move astronauts to the moon’s surface. The agency said this could happen as soon as 2028. SpaceX is the other company NASA selected for lunar landing work.

For now, Blue Origin and regulators are focused on the engine and orbit issue. AST SpaceMobile said it will de-orbit BlueBird 7 due to its low altitude. The FAA said New Glenn will stay grounded until safety questions are answered. Both companies said they will use findings to guide next steps.

With inputs from PTI