Blue Origin Rocket Launches, Then Loses AST SpaceMobile BlueBird Satellite

The aerospace industry witnessed a significant event on April 19, 2026, as Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket embarked on its mission to deploy the seventh full-size mobile-broadband satellite for AST SpaceMobile. While the launch began with the successful liftoff and landing of the reusable first-stage booster, the mission ultimately ended in the loss of the payload. The upper stage of the heavy-lift vehicle failed to reach the intended altitude, leaving the BlueBird 7 satellite in a “deadly” low orbit that will result in its atmospheric re-entry and destruction.

The Launch: Success for “Never Tell Me the Odds”

The mission commenced at 7:25 a.m. from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The first stage of the New Glenn rocket, which Blue Origin has nicknamed “Never Tell Me the Odds,” performed flawlessly. This particular booster was on its second flight, having debuted in late 2024. Powered by seven BE-4 methane-fueled engines, the booster successfully separated and executed a precision landing on the autonomous drone ship Jacklyn, named after the mother of Blue Origin’s founder.

This landing marks another milestone for Blue Origin’s reusable technology, demonstrating that the company has mastered the art of returning heavy-lift boosters from the edge of space. However, the celebration was short-lived as attention turned to the second stage.

The Setback: Upper Stage Underperformance

Trouble began during the burn of the second stage, which is powered by two BE-3U hydrogen-fueled engines. Reports indicate that these engines underperformed, failing to provide enough thrust to push the AST SpaceMobile satellite into its designated operational orbit.

Tracking data provided by the U.S. Space Force confirmed that the satellite was placed in an orbit with a low point (perigee) of just 96 miles. At this height, the Earth’s atmosphere is thick enough to create significant drag. While the satellite was able to power on and separate from the launch vehicle, its onboard thrusters do not have sufficient power to overcome the drag and raise it to a stable altitude. Consequently, AST SpaceMobile has announced that the satellite will be “de-orbited,” essentially burning up in the atmosphere within a matter of days.

Impact on AST SpaceMobile’s Ambitions

The loss of BlueBird 7 is a blow to AST SpaceMobile, a Texas-based company aiming to build the first space-based cellular broadband network. Their goal is to provide direct-to-phone connectivity with speeds of up to 120Mbps, catering to major carriers like AT&T and Verizon.

AST had ambitious plans to have 45 BlueBird satellites in operation by the end of 2026. This loss complicates that timeline. The company plans to recover the cost of the lost satellite through its insurance policy, but the primary challenge remains the launch cadence. To reach their year-end goal, AST would need to launch nearly 40 more satellites in the coming months—a daunting task even with their existing contracts for SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets.

Blue Origin’s Path Forward

For Blue Origin, this mishap represents a hurdle in its efforts to prove the reliability of the New Glenn rocket. While the reusable booster program is a clear success, the upper stage performance issues will need to be addressed before the next high-profile mission.

Looking ahead, Blue Origin’s schedule remains packed. The company is preparing for a test flight of its Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo-only lunar lander. This mission is part of a broader effort to adapt the technology for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon. Blue Origin is currently under a $3.4 billion contract with NASA to develop the Blue Moon Mark 2 for crewed landings, and a successful orbital flight test is targeted for 2027.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is Blue Origin and who owns it?

Blue Origin is a private aerospace manufacturer and suborbital spaceflight services company. It is owned by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.

Has Blue Origin ever successfully launched a rocket?

Yes. Blue Origin has successfully launched its suborbital New Shepard rocket dozens of times, including flights with crewed passengers. The New Glenn rocket is their newer, heavy-lift orbital vehicle designed to carry massive payloads into Earth’s orbit and beyond.

What is the New Glenn rocket?

New Glenn is a heavy-lift launch vehicle named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit the Earth. It features a reusable first stage designed for 25 flights and is one of the largest rockets currently in development.

What happened to the AST SpaceMobile satellite?

Due to the underperformance of the rocket’s second stage, the satellite was placed in an orbit that was too low to sustain. It lacks the fuel and thrust capacity to raise its orbit and will eventually burn up upon re-entering the Earth’s atmosphere.

Where does Blue Origin launch its rockets?

Blue Origin primarily uses Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida for its New Glenn orbital launches. It also operates a private launch site in West Texas for its New Shepard suborbital missions.

What are the recent setbacks for Blue Origin?

Apart from this recent satellite loss, Blue Origin has faced delays and mishaps during the testing and production phases of the New Glenn rocket and its BE-4 engines. This includes a notable uncrewed launch failure in 2022 that led to a hiatus in flights for over a year.

What are the future plans for Blue Origin?

The company is heavily invested in NASA’s Artemis program. They are developing lunar landers (Blue Moon) to transport cargo and eventually astronauts to the lunar surface, aiming for a crewed orbital test in 2027.

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