New Glenn 3 Mission Problematic, BlueBird 7 Satellite Failed to Reach the Orbit it Should
JAKARTA - Blue Origin successfully landed the first stage booster of the New Glenn rocket for the first time in the New Glenn 3 (NG-3) mission. Unfortunately, the satellite it carried failed to reach its intended orbit.
Initially, the rocket launch went normally. The first stage booster successfully separated about 10 minutes after takeoff and landed back on the recovery ship. This is also the first reuse of the New Glenn booster, an important achievement for Blue Origin.
However, a few hours later a problem arose when the rocket that was tasked with delivering the satellite to orbit said that the satellite had separated and lit up, but its location was not in accordance with the planned orbit.
"We have confirmed the separation of the payload. AST SpaceMobile has confirmed that the satellite has turned on. The payload was placed into an unnominal orbit," Blue Origin wrote in its statement on X.
NG-3 Update: We have confirmed payload separation. AST SpaceMobile has confirmed the satellite has powered on. The payload was placed into an off-nominal orbit. We are currently assessing and will update when we have more detailed information.
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) April 19, 2026
Satellite manufacturer, AST SpaceMobile, explained that the satellite named BlueBird 7 was in an orbit that was too low. Because it was too low, the satellite could not maintain its position in space and would eventually fall back into the atmosphere (deorbit).
BlueBird 7 was supposed to be the eighth AST SpaceMobile satellite launched into low-earth orbit and is one of many planned for their space-based cellular broadband network.
However, the company insists that satellite production continues. Currently, AST SpaceMobile is producing satellites up to BlueBird 32, while BlueBird 8 to 10 is expected to be ready to be sent in about 30 days.
They are also still targeting the launch of new satellites every one to two months throughout 2026. Overall, AST SpaceMobile still targets about 45 satellites in orbit by the end of 2026.
Currently, Blue Origin is conducting an assessment and will provide updates to the public when they have more detailed information.