**Blue Origin Scrubs New Glenn Launch Due to Bad Weather**
Nov. 9 (UPI) — Blue Origin has postponed the launch of its New Glenn rocket, which was scheduled to carry a pair of Mars-bound satellites into low-Earth orbit on Sunday. The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida was scrubbed just minutes before liftoff due to adverse weather conditions moving through the area.
The company’s second New Glenn rocket launch faced multiple delays throughout the day. The launch window opened at 2:45 p.m. EDT and was set to close at 4:13 p.m. EST. Despite pushing the liftoff to 4:12:30 p.m., a large bank of cumulus clouds formed in the rocket’s flight path, forcing engineers to call off the mission.
Blue Origin announced a tentative reschedule for the launch on Monday at approximately 2 p.m. EST. However, the company faces additional challenges due to new restrictions enforced by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) amid the ongoing federal government shutdown. According to Space.com, the FAA requires special approval for launches on Nov. 9 and Nov. 10, as the shutdown has led to understaffed air traffic control towers.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy previously explained that the FAA has restricted commercial rocket launches to the hours between 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. to minimize airspace conflicts during this period.
In addition to the weather issues, flight controllers experienced difficulties contacting the captain of a cruise boat that entered the designated safety perimeter around the launch area, further complicating the countdown.
The Blue Origin Mars mission onboard the New Glenn rocket includes a pair of ESCAPADE Mars probes. This mission has already faced a one-year delay due to fueling and other engineering challenges.
Blue Origin remains committed to proceeding with the launch as soon as conditions and regulatory approvals permit.
https://www.upi.com/Science_News/2025/11/09/blue-origin-mission-scrubbed-by-weather/7431762724388/
