Jeff Bezos space company Blue Origin is preparing for the second launch of its new Glenn Mega-Rocket in “Late Spring,” the company announced Monday. The company also believes it has determined why the booster stage failed when it landed on the marine platform during its first flight in January.
Blue Origin said it had identified “seven corrective actions” during its Federal Aviation Administration-mandated booster failure review. They mainly focus on “improvement management and engine bleed control.” The company said it submitted all this information to the FAA.
The new Glen is the first rocket of blue origin that can enter orbit around the Earth. The company also hopes to use it to further advance into space. Proving these capabilities and showing that the rocket can perform repeatedly is key to putting its blue origins to compete with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which currently dominates the launch market.
The 320-foot rocket has been developed for years and faces many delays. Blue Origin will eventually be tested in January. The second stage of the rocket was successfully orbited, but three of the booster’s engines did not properly re-illuminate when they returned to Earth, the company said Monday. Blue Origin said it would attempt another booster landing during New Glenn’s second test flight.