Blue Origin Postpones New Glenn Launch Due to Unfavorable Maritime Conditions

The launch of the New Glenn rocket, originally scheduled for January 12, 2025, has been postponed by Blue Origin to January 13, 2025. The decision was made due to unfavorable maritime conditions in the region where the autonomous ship, tasked with receiving the reusable first stage, is stationed.

According to the disclosed meteorological and maritime data, the landing ship, positioned off the east coast of the United States (latitude: 28.01763, longitude: -74.1336), is currently facing winds of 28 knots (about 52 km/h) coming from the southwest (235°) and an ambient temperature of 21°C. These factors, combined with potential additional conditions such as wave height and ship inclination, make the environment unsuitable for a safe landing.

Why Are Maritime Conditions Crucial for the Landing?

The first stage of the New Glenn, equipped with seven BE-4 engines, is designed to perform controlled vertical landings on autonomous ships at sea, ensuring its reusability for future missions. However, this process depends on specific maritime conditions to guarantee precision and safety:

1. Strong Winds:
Winds above 30 knots can destabilize the rocket during its final descent, causing it to deviate from the landing point or creating alignment issues with the platform. The recorded winds of 28 knots in this case are nearing this critical threshold.

2. Ship Inclination:
The autonomous ship must remain stable, with minimal lateral (roll) and longitudinal (pitch) inclinations. High waves or ocean currents can hinder the ship's ability to maintain this stability, increasing the risk of a failed landing.

3. Operational Safety:
During storms or rough seas, not only the rocket but also the ship's integrity and auxiliary equipment are at risk. This is why unfavorable weather conditions often lead to launch delays.

Although a one-day delay might seem minor, it reflects Blue Origin’s commitment to prioritizing safety and mission success. The New Glenn is a central piece of the company’s strategy to dominate the heavy-lift launch market.

The Story of the Work Vessel Jacklyn

The ship used for New Glenn landings is officially named Landing Platform Vessel #1 (LPV1) but is affectionately called Jacklyn, in honor of Jeff Bezos’s mother, Jacklyn Bezos. The name was previously associated with a ferry that Blue Origin had planned to convert into a landing platform for New Glenn, but that idea was scrapped in 2022. Since then, the company has moved forward with a fully new Work Vessel equipped with the necessary technologies to fulfill this critical role in space missions.

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