Blue Origin, the private space firm founded by Jeff Bezos, postponed the second launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Sunday, November 9, 2025, due to adverse weather conditions. The mission, designated NG-2, is tasked with sending a pair of NASA spacecraft to Mars and represents a critical step in the company's efforts to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The launch was called off after rain, a ground system issue, and persistent cumulus clouds plagued the 88-minute launch window, Blue Origin officials confirmed. The company announced it is now targeting no earlier than Wednesday, November 12, 2025, for the next attempt, having coordinated with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a new window between 10:50 PM and 12:17 AM on Thursday, November 13 (EAT).

Mission to Study Martian Atmosphere

The primary payload for the NG-2 mission is NASA's Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission. This low-cost mission, valued at under $80 million, consists of two identical spacecraft, named 'Blue' and 'Gold', built by Rocket Lab. Led by scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, the mission aims to study Mars's magnetosphere and understand how solar wind has stripped away much of the planet's atmosphere over billions of years. This research is vital for understanding the climate history of the Red Planet and its potential for past habitability. The spacecraft are expected to reach Mars's orbit in September 2027 to begin their science mission, which is scheduled to last until May 2029.

Intensifying Commercial Space Race

This launch is a significant milestone for Blue Origin in its rivalry with SpaceX. The 98-meter (322-foot) New Glenn rocket is central to Blue Origin's strategy to capture a share of the lucrative market for commercial satellite launches and future deep-space missions. A key objective of the NG-2 flight is the successful recovery of the rocket's reusable first-stage booster on a sea-based landing platform. During New Glenn's inaugural flight in January 2025, the payload reached orbit, but the booster was lost during its landing attempt—a feat only SpaceX has managed to achieve consistently.

SpaceX currently dominates the commercial launch market, aiming for as many as 170 launches in 2025, while this flight marks only the second for Blue Origin's orbital rocket. The successful operation and recovery of New Glenn are essential for Blue Origin to demonstrate reliability and reduce launch costs, positioning it as a viable competitor.

Government Shutdown Complicates Rescheduling

The postponement is further complicated by a U.S. government shutdown, which has strained the nation's air traffic control system. Due to staffing shortages among air traffic controllers, who are essential for clearing airspace during launches, the FAA issued an emergency order restricting commercial rocket launches to a nighttime window between 10:00 PM and 6:00 AM local time, starting Monday, November 10. Blue Origin stated it worked with the FAA to secure an exemption for its new daytime launch window. The shutdown has also led to flight reductions at 40 major U.S. airports to maintain safety, highlighting the broader impact of the political impasse on aviation and space activities. In addition to the NASA probes, the New Glenn rocket is also carrying a communications technology demonstration payload for the company Viasat.