Overview
- Blue Origin called off Sunday’s Cape Canaveral attempt, citing a cumulus cloud system that violated weather rules during the 88‑minute window.
- The mission is set to send NASA’s twin EscaPADE probes, Blue and Gold, to study how the solar wind interacts with Mars’ atmosphere and magnetic environment, with arrival expected in 2027 if launched soon.
- The flight is also slated to test recovery of New Glenn’s first stage on the offshore platform Jacklyn after January’s debut mission did not retrieve the booster.
- Rescheduling faces an added hurdle as the FAA moves to limit commercial rocket launches starting Monday due to the ongoing federal budget standoff affecting air traffic control staffing.
- Blue Origin said it is evaluating forecasts for a next try, and one company communication reported by Sud Ouest indicated a target of Wednesday between 2:50 p.m. and 4:17 p.m. local time, pending coordination and conditions.