Blue Origin New Glenn rocket puts satellite payload into wrong orbit
Summary
Blue Origin launched its third New Glenn rocket and reused a first-stage booster that landed successfully. However, the satellite it carried, a cell phone communications satellite built by AST SpaceMobile, was placed into the wrong orbit, and the company is still assessing the situation.Key Facts
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral on Sunday.
- This was the third New Glenn flight and the first to reuse a first-stage booster.
- The first stage booster landed safely on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean.
- The payload was the AST SpaceMobile Bluebird 7 satellite designed to provide 4G and 5G broadband directly to cellphones.
- The satellite’s orbit was not correct, and it was unclear if it can operate properly in that orbit.
- AST SpaceMobile plans to launch up to 60 satellites of this type for global cellular coverage.
- Blue Origin did not provide details on how far off the orbit was or potential next steps.
- The second stage of the rocket shut down as planned, but a planned second burn did not occur on schedule.
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