Blue Origin approved to resume New Glenn launches after investigation

Blue Origin has completed the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) investigation into the New Glenn rocket failure that occurred on the NG‑3 mission on 19 April 2026. During the second‑stage (GS2) burn, a cryogenic leak froze a hydraulic line, causing one of the BE‑3U engines to under‑perform and leaving the BlueBird 7 communications satellite for AST SpaceMobile in an unusable low orbit.

The FAA accepted Blue Origin’s final mishap report, which identified the leak as the direct cause and outlined nine corrective actions to prevent recurrence. With the report approved, the agency cleared the company to restart New Glenn flights, though it will verify implementation of the fixes before the next launch. Blue Origin has not set a date for the upcoming NG‑4 mission, and AST SpaceMobile has not confirmed a new launch schedule, but the company plans to fly additional BlueBird satellites on a future flight.

The investigation’s closure allows New Glenn to return to operational status, supporting Blue Origin’s commercial, military and lunar service ambitions.