Blue Origin, founded by Bezos, postpones the debut launch of its New Glenn rocket.

• The inaugural launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket was canceled due to last-minute problems with the vehicle.
• Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin vice president of in-space systems, announced that today's launch attempt is being postponed to troubleshoot a vehicle sub-system issue that will take us beyond our launch window, during a livestream of the intended take-off.

On Monday, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launch was canceled due to last-minute issues with the vehicle, dealing a blow to its efforts to compete with SpaceX in the satellite industry.

The launch was scheduled to occur from Cape Canaveral in Florida at 1 a.m. ET.

Ariane Cornell, Blue Origin vice president of in-space systems, announced that today's launch attempt is being postponed to troubleshoot a vehicle sub-system issue that will take us beyond our launch window, during a livestream of the intended take-off.

The rocket was set to land a first-stage booster on the ship Jacklyn offshore in the Atlantic Ocean for future reuse during its Monday mission, with the rocket's second stage continuing into orbit.

The New Glenn rocket was designed for a test flight, which is typically a requirement before national security payloads can be entrusted to it. During this test flight, the rocket was intended to carry the Blue Ring spacecraft, which can maneuver to multiple orbits and locations, as well as host and deploy payloads.

Cornell stated on Monday that the launch team is currently focused on de-tanking and securing the vehicle. After that, they will determine what other tasks they want to accomplish during their downtime, which will determine the next launch opportunity.

The New Glenn rocket, standing at 320 feet tall, faced multiple delays to its liftoff time before the final decision to call off its launch. The mission's initial take-off was repeatedly postponed to Monday due to unfavorable conditions at sea for booster landing.

Inaugural rocket missions often encounter delays, technical difficulties, and failures. The Blue Origin project stands out for its focus on sustainability.

"To achieve our long-term vision, it is crucial to safeguard this planet. Space technologies play a significant role in this, as Cornell emphasized. That's why we initiated the use of reusable rockets and engines."

Since its inception in 2000, Blue Origin has undergone three CEO changes and conducted several sub-orbital launches with tourists on its $2.5 billion New Shepard spacecraft. The company's methane-burning BE-4 engines, used in the New Glenn, were also employed in United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, which achieved orbit twice in 2020.

Government programs' traditional prestigious remit of space exploration is increasingly being sought by tech billionaires for commercial opportunities in satellite launches and space tourism.

SpaceX, founded by Elon Musk, has been the leader in space launches with 433 total launches as of January 13, 2023, while Richard Branson's Virgin Galactic took its first space tourists to the edge of space in 2023.