After years of development, Blue Origin’s semi-reusable heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle, New Glenn, successfully launched on Thursday, Jan. 16 at 2:03 AM EST (07:03 UTC) after moving from the start of the window due to engine chill issues and a boat that violated the range.
The Jan. 13 scrub was caused by ice forming on a purge line attached to an auxiliary power unit that powers some hydraulic systems.
The flight launched into orbit with a Blue Ring Pathfinder payload to demonstrate the capabilities of the company’s future Blue Ring multi-mission space mobility platform. Blue Origin, which became one of the few entities to make orbit on their first attempt, pushed the launch from Jan. 10 due to rough seas, which would have precluded a booster recovery.