Blue Origin Faces Setback as New Glenn Grounding Intensifies SpaceX Rivalry

Engine trouble forces regulators to pause New Glenn launches after a satellite mission veers off course. The incident raises fresh questions about reliability, competition, and the future of reusable rockets in the fast-growing satellite race.

A recent Amazon Blue Origin launch got hit by engine turbulence. The company attempted to deploy an AST SpaceMobile satellite using its New Glenn Rocket. However, the engine's technical issues never allowed it to reach the desired altitude. The incident prompted the Federal Aviation Administration to halt further launches until a full investigation is completed.

The Jeff Bezos-led company was trying to launch a satellite with the rocket on its third flight. The primary objective of the mission was to establish the reliability of reusable launch technology. Instead, the engine issue forced engineers to reassess safety.