New Glenn and a New Day

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Fl ~

At 7:25 AM EDT, the impressive New Glenn rocket roared to life bringing 7 BE-4 rocket engines producing almost 20,000 kilonewtons of thrust blasting fire from a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen (AKA Methalox) this morning, Sunday April 19, 2026 from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral S.F.S. with the beginning of daylight a few minutes away.

Image Credit:  Michael Seeley - We Report Space

The 322 foot rocket leaped into a SE trajectory carrying its one satellite, manufactured by AST SpaceMobile (Midland, Tx.). The BlueBird Block-2 satellite is one of the largest satellites ever placed into Low Earth Orbit, measuring over 2400 square feet and weighing around 6,100 kg. It will be used for cellular broadband service, to deliver voice, data, and video services directly to smart phones.

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In a statement prior to launch from AST SpaceMobile: “This launch advances our mission to bring space-based cellular broadband connectivity to everyday smartphones as we progress towards launching commercial services in 2026,” said Scott Wisniewski, President of AST SpaceMobile. “BlueBird 7 moves us closer to delivering a new layer of cellular broadband connectivity for consumers, enterprises, and government customers worldwide.”

This launch was also a first for Blue Origin in using a refurbished first stage booster (GS1-SN002) previously flown Nov, 2025.

After launch “Never Attempt the Odds” landed down range aboard the custom built off shore barge “Jacklyn” without any observable issues. This is the third flight of New Glenn and the second successful landing.

However, shortly after all the excitement and cheering, it became quickly known that the second stage did not perform as intended and placed the multi-million dollar satellite in far too low of an orbit to be of any use and will eventually de-orbit and burn up.

In a statement from Blue Origin on Social Media: “The payload was placed into an off-nominal orbit. We are currently assessing and will update when we have more detailed information.”

It is being noted that it is understood that the satellite was insured. This is still not the result that everyone was hoping for, but one that can come along with spaceflight.

Article: Graham Smith – We Report Space

Images: Graham Smith, Michael Seeley – We Report Space