Release of the launch clamps after ignition counts as a launch.
/enaz/will-blue-origins-new-glenn-rocket
/Mqrius/will-blue-origins-new-glenn-launch-32ffc3496c5c
/Mqrius/will-blue-origins-new-glenn-launch-702b94d1bd30
/Mqrius/will-blue-origins-new-glenn-launch
See also:
/Mqrius/will-ulas-vulcan-launch-before-2024
/Mqrius/will-spacexs-hls-uncrewed-demo-laun
Artemis 2 timeline: /Mqrius/will-artemis-ii-launch-before-2026
Artemis 3 timeline: /Mqrius/will-a-human-walk-on-the-moon-again
Now scheduled for January 6th:
"Primary Launch Day 06 Jan 0600Z-0945Z Backup Launch Day (1) 07 Jan 0600Z-0945Z"
https://www.faa.gov/newsroom/statements/general-statements
Today, the FAA issued a Part 450 commercial space launch license authorizing the first launch of the Blue Origin New Glenn vehicle. The FAA determined Blue Origin met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements.
“The FAA is committed to enabling the success of the U.S. commercial space transportation industry without compromising public safety,” said the Associate Administrator for Commercial Space Transportation Kelvin B. Coleman. “By working closely with Blue Origin, the FAA issued this new launch license well in advance of the statutory deadline for the historic maiden flight of New Glenn.”
The license allows Blue Origin to conduct orbital missions from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida with the reusable New Glenn first stage landing on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean. It is valid for five years.
The launch is now listed on https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15 ("Primary Launch Day 31 Dec 0430Z-0745Z Backup Launch Day (1) 01 Jan 0430Z-0745Z"), but it doesn't seem likely unless the static fire happens very soon.
@dp9000 especially since the backup launch window straddles midnight on New Years Eve, I see this as a top-down estimate. Someone really wants it launched by a particular date/time, rather than the target being driven by readyness.
Sometimes that works out. Usually it doesn't.
Dave Limp tweeted today:
We are all clear to complete a wet dress rehearsal this week ahead of hotfire for #NewGlenn
Marcia Smith tweeted:
At SFA Spacepower conf this am, Blue Origin's Lars Hoffman said they'll launch New Glenn "within the next few weeks." Vehicle's ready but "there's a process we have to follow to ensure that we're on a path to success." But it'll be "this year," "maybe for Christmas."
Dave Limp tweeted today:
"While we wait for regulatory approvals for hotfire and launch, here’s a photo (and a bonus video) of our “chilling” GS1. This marks the first time we’re tanking our first stage with liquefied natural gas (LNG) and liquid oxygen (LOX)."
Sounds like they're getting close to launch, but I still think it'll go in early 2025 rather than this year. They've yet to do a wet dress rehearsal, and the LH2 that the upper stage uses is by all accounts a real devil to work with.
Plus, the last week of the month will get clipped by the holidays, unless they're really close and choose to rally around the launch being a "present". Given Blue Origin's pace so far, that doesn't seem likely.
@DanHomerick When they replaced the Blue Origin CEO, I was shocked they chose someone with a name like "Limp". It's a very weak sounding name and is bad for morale. If they had someone named "Shotwell" things would be more promising.
https://www.blueorigin.com/news/blue-origin-debuts-new-glenn-on-our-launch-pad
New Glenn is stacked and on the pad!
(Without engines)
(And not flight hardware)
https://spacenews.com/nasa-mars-smallsat-mission-to-be-on-first-new-glenn-launch
More than likely this delays beyond 2024