November 12, 2025, 10:05 p.mNovember 12, 2025, 10:05 p.m
The powerful heavy-lift rocket “New Glenn”. Image: keystone
Due to a violent solar storm, the second launch of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos’ powerful heavy-lift rocket “New Glenn” from the space company Blue Origin has been postponed for the time being. The company announced via online platform X that possible new start dates are currently being investigated.
NG-2 Update: New Glenn is ready to launch. However, due to highly elevated solar activity and its potential effects on the ESCAPADE spacecraft, NASA is postponing launch until space weather conditions improve. We are currently assessing opportunities to establish our next launch…
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) November 12, 2025
There was particular concern about the cargo: the rocket was supposed to carry two Mars orbiters from the US space agency Nasa into space. With the mission called “Escapade”, NASA wants to examine, among other things, the atmosphere of the red planet. Blue Origin said there were concerns about the possible effects of the solar storm on the “Escapade” orbiters.
The violent solar storm led, among other things, to signal interruptions in radio communication and satellite navigation applications in some areas of the world and caused northern lights to appear far to the south.
The launch of the “New Glenn” from the Cape Canaveral spaceport was actually planned for Sunday, but was then postponed due to bad weather. On its first flight, the rocket made it straight into space in January. In the future, Blue Origin wants to compete with SpaceX, which currently dominates commercial space travel. (sda/dpa)