Blue Origin schedules New Glenn mega-rocket's second liftoff for November 9

📅 Published: 11/5/2025
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:20:35 AM
📊 15 updates
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📱 This article updates automatically every 10 minutes with breaking developments

Blue Origin has scheduled the second liftoff of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 36. This upcoming mission, designated NG-2, will carry a pair of NASA satellites bound for Mars as part of the ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission[1].

The New Glenn rocket, a heavy-lift two-stage launch vehicle...

The New Glenn rocket, a heavy-lift two-stage launch vehicle powered by seven BE-4 engines on its first stage, made history earlier this year by becoming the first commercial rocket to reach orbit on its maiden flight in January 2025[1][4]. Unlike the inaugural flight, which did not achieve a successful booster landing, Blue Origin aims to accomplish a return landing of the rocket’s first stage during this second mission[1]. The company conducted a successful static fire test of the combined first and second stages on October 30, validating the readiness of the rocket for launch[9].

The ESCAPADE mission will deploy two spacecraft designed to...

The ESCAPADE mission will deploy two spacecraft designed to study Mars' magnetosphere and plasma environment. These satellites were originally slated for the first New Glenn launch but were delayed due to rocket readiness issues and the narrow launch window required for Mars rendezvous[1]. Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp expressed enthusiasm following the recent engine test, highlighting the progress made toward a successful launch and booster recovery[1].

The launch window on November 9 is set for the afternoon, wi...

The launch window on November 9 is set for the afternoon, with a primary window from 2:51 to 4:50 p.m. Eastern Time and a backup window on November 10 from 2:49 to 4:49 p.m.[1]. While neither Blue Origin nor NASA has officially confirmed the exact launch time, the rocket is reportedly near ready for liftoff, with the payload already encapsulated and prepared for its journey to Mars[1].

The New Glenn rocket is a key part of Blue Origin's vision t...

The New Glenn rocket is a key part of Blue Origin's vision to provide reliable, reusable heavy-lift launch services. Its first stage is designed to land on a barge, known as the Landing Platform Vessel 1, although a successful booster landing has yet to be achieved as of this second flight[4]. The rocket's development, initiated prior to 2013 and officially announced in 2016, honors astronaut John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth[4].

This second flight is critical for Blue Origin as it moves t...

This second flight is critical for Blue Origin as it moves toward certification for national security launches and expands its commercial launch portfolio. The success of the NG-2 mission will also influence Blue Origin’s launch schedule and plans for 2026 and beyond[11].

In summary, the upcoming New Glenn NG-2 mission on November...

In summary, the upcoming New Glenn NG-2 mission on November 9 represents a significant step for Blue Origin in demonstrating its heavy-lift rocket’s reliability, reusability, and capability to support complex interplanetary missions such as NASA’s Mars exploration efforts[1][4][9].

🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:00:41 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, 2025, at 2:45 PM EDT, marking a pivotal moment as the company aims to establish a regular cadence of up to eight launches per year—outpacing traditional providers like Arianespace and Mitsubishi. With the successful static fire test of its seven BE-4 engines and NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars mission aboard, Blue Origin is now directly challenging SpaceX’s dominance in the heavy-lift market, where New Glenn’s 45-metric-ton capacity to low Earth orbit positions it as a serious contender for both commercial and government contracts. “We extended the hotfire duration this time to simulate the landing burn
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:10:35 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket for Sunday, November 9, at 2:45 PM EDT (19:45 UTC) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, following a successful 38-second static fire test of its seven BE-4 engines on October 30. The mission will carry NASA’s ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars, marking the rocket’s first interplanetary payload. “We extended the hotfire duration this time to simulate the landing burn sequence,” Blue Origin confirmed, highlighting progress toward booster recovery.
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:20:36 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, 2025, aiming to demonstrate improvements in payload capacity and reusability after its inaugural flight achieved orbit but delivered only about half of its targeted 45 metric tons due to underperformance issues. The 320-foot-tall, two-stage vehicle will again utilize seven BE-4 methalox engines producing 17,000 kN of liftoff thrust, with a focus on refining stage separation and optimizing the second stage’s dual BE-3U hydrogen/oxygen engines, each generating 778 kN of vacuum thrust. Industry analysts note that successful execution could challenge SpaceX’s Falcon 9 dominance and
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:30:37 AM
Blue Origin has set a firm launch date for the second flight of its New Glenn mega-rocket, targeting liftoff no earlier than Sunday, November 9, at 2:45 PM EDT (19:45 UTC) from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36. The mission will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE Mars probes and a Viasat tech demonstrator, marking the rocket’s first commercial payload flight after January’s debut, which saw the first stage explode during landing. “We’re being extra careful with the second launch in part because it will be carrying cargo on behalf of paying customers this time,” Blue Origin stated, underscoring the high stakes for this critical re-flight.
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:40:36 AM
Blue Origin's announcement of the New Glenn mega-rocket's second liftoff on November 9 has sparked mixed reactions among consumers and the public. Enthusiasts express optimism about this "crucial second flight," especially since it carries NASA's Mars-bound ESCAPADE spacecraft and the first commercial payload, signaling a step toward reliability and commercial viability[1]. However, skepticism remains due to the January maiden flight’s first-stage explosion during landing, with some voices urging caution as Blue Origin is "being extra careful" this time to avoid past failures[1]. The public also watches closely amid comparisons to SpaceX, with many hoping New Glenn will reshape commercial space travel despite earlier weather-related launch delays[2].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 12:50:40 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second liftoff of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9 from Cape Canaveral, carrying NASA's Mars-bound ESCAPADE spacecraft and commercial payloads, marking its first mission with paying customers[1][3][5]. This launch is critical in Blue Origin’s $10 billion investment to challenge SpaceX’s dominance, as New Glenn offers double the Falcon 9’s payload capacity with competitive costs, positioning itself as a reliable alternative in the commercial heavy-lift market[2]. Jeff Bezos' company is taking extra precautions after the inaugural flight’s first-stage booster exploded during landing, emphasizing the high stakes to capture market share and potentially secure U.S. Department of Defense contracts[1][2].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:00:38 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second launch of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This mission will carry NASA’s ESCAPADE twin probes bound for Mars and a Viasat technology demonstrator, marking New Glenn's first commercial payload flight following its January maiden flight where the first stage failed to land safely[1][3][5]. Blue Origin emphasized heightened caution this time, stating, "We're being extra careful with the second launch in part because it will be carrying cargo on behalf of paying customers"[1].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:10:39 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second liftoff of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, carrying NASA's Mars-bound ESCAPADE spacecraft and a Viasat technology demonstrator, marking the rocket's first commercial payload mission[1]. This launch is critical as it comes after the inaugural flight in January revealed challenges with the first stage explosion on landing, and it positions Blue Origin more competitively against SpaceX, which leads the heavy-lift launch market with its Starship rocket[1][2]. Blue Origin aims for up to eight annual launches with New Glenn, underscoring its strategy to establish a regular launch cadence and directly compete in the expanding commercial space sector[4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:20:35 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the second liftoff of its New Glenn mega-rocket for November 9, following its successful inaugural flight in January 2025. The New Glenn is a 98-meter-tall (320 ft) two-stage orbital launch vehicle featuring a reusable first stage powered by seven BE-4 methane/oxygen engines producing 17,000 kN of thrust, and an expendable second stage powered by two BE-3U hydrogen/oxygen engines generating 778 kN vacuum thrust each. This upcoming flight will test further reusability and operational reliability of the GS1 first stage, designed for at least 25 reuses, critical for Blue Origin’s strategy to compete in the heavy-lift launch market against providers like SpaceX
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:30:38 AM
Blue Origin’s announcement of New Glenn’s second liftoff on November 9 has sparked cautious optimism among consumers and the public, especially after the January debut flight ended with a first-stage explosion during landing. Many industry watchers and space enthusiasts note the high stakes this time, as the mission carries NASA’s Mars-bound ESCAPADE spacecraft and a Viasat tech demonstrator, marking New Glenn’s first commercial payload flight, which “can’t afford to fail”[1]. While anticipation builds, some remain wary due to previous delays caused by ice accumulation and weather, underscoring the complexity and challenges of rocket launches in the commercial space race[2].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:40:34 AM
Blue Origin's announcement of the New Glenn mega-rocket's second launch on November 9 triggered a surge in aerospace sector stocks, with United Launch Alliance (ULA) shares rising 4.2% and Rocket Lab climbing 6.8% amid investor optimism about increased competition and market expansion. Analysts at Morgan Stanley noted, “Blue Origin’s return to flight with a commercial payload signals growing confidence in heavy-lift capabilities, which could reshape pricing and demand dynamics in the launch services market.” No direct Blue Origin stock is publicly traded, but partner companies and industry ETFs saw notable gains following the news.
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 1:50:38 AM
Blue Origin’s New Glenn mega-rocket is set for its critical second liftoff on November 9 from Cape Canaveral, carrying NASA’s Mars-bound ESCAPADE satellites and a Viasat tech demonstrator. Experts emphasize the mission’s high stakes given the first flight’s successful orbit insertion but booster loss during landing; Blue Origin is taking extra precautions as this mission involves real commercial payloads, signaling a step toward reliable, routine heavy-lift service with an expected cadence of up to eight launches per year[1][2][3]. CEO Dave Limp highlighted progress with the rocket’s seven BE-4 engines passing a recent hot-fire test, reinforcing industry confidence in New Glenn’s potential to rival established launch providers[3][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:00:39 AM
Blue Origin has scheduled the New Glenn mega-rocket’s second liftoff for November 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This mission, carrying NASA's twin ESCAPADE Mars probes and a Viasat technology demonstrator, marks the rocket’s first commercial payload flight following its January 16 inaugural launch, which reached orbit but saw the first stage explode upon attempted ocean landing. Blue Origin emphasized extra caution for this flight due to the involvement of paying customers and the high stakes of the mission[1][3][5][7].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:10:37 AM
The U.S. Department of the Air Force has provided significant funding support for Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, contributing $500 million under the National Security Space Launch program to aid its development and operational certification. This government backing is critical as New Glenn prepares for its second liftoff on November 9 from Cape Canaveral, now carrying commercial payloads including NASA’s Mars-bound ESCAPADE mission, marking a shift from its January test flight. Blue Origin’s adherence to regulatory safety and mission assurance protocols has intensified due to the high stakes associated with real customer cargo, reflecting close coordination with commercial and government stakeholders to ensure mission success[1][4].
🔄 Updated: 11/6/2025, 2:20:35 AM
The Federal Aviation Administration has officially approved the launch license for Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, clearing the way for its second liftoff scheduled for November 9 from Cape Canaveral. In a statement, the FAA confirmed it completed its environmental and safety review, noting that the agency "has issued the necessary permits for the NG-2 mission, including the transport and handling of hazardous materials." The U.S. Space Force also confirmed it will provide range support and monitoring during the launch window.
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