NASA rolled out the core stage of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket for the Artemis 3 mission on April 20, 2026, from Michoud Assembly Facility to the Pegasus barge. This milestone advances preparations for the targeted mid-2027 launch, which will involve testing rendezvous operations with Orion and private lunar landers, including SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's Blue Moon.

Blue Origin launched its third New Glenn rocket carrying the AST SpaceMobile Bluebird 7 satellite, which unfortunately ended up in the wrong orbit. The rocket successfully re-flew a previously used first stage, but the payload's off-nominal orbit represents a setback for AST SpaceMobile's plans to deploy a constellation of 60 satellites for global cellular broadband service.

AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 was declared lost after its deployment into an incorrect orbit following the New Glenn launch. The satellite, intended for 4G/5G connectivity, was placed in a 154 x 494 km orbit, too low for operational thrusters. Blue Origin is assessing the anomaly while AST SpaceMobile plans to recover costs via insurance.

Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket for the third time, reusing the first stage, which landed successfully. However, the mission failed to place AST SpaceMobile's Bluebird-7 satellite in the correct orbit, resulting in its loss. This launch marks Blue Origin's first commercial mission, despite its ongoing reputation for slow operations and the satellite's failure.

U.S. Space Force is evaluating the potential for Vulcan flights without solid rocket boosters under investigation, according to Lt. Gen. Philip Garrant. This adjustment could allow lower-energy missions to proceed while SpaceX handles critical national security launches. The situation impacts future National Security Space Launch contracts, emphasizing the need for a third launch provider amid current supply constraints.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched the BlueBird 7 satellite, but it was deployed into an incorrect orbit. The launch occurred on April 19, with the first stage recovery executed successfully. AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 aims to enhance cellular broadband capabilities in low Earth orbit, but its current status remains uncertain following the launch anomaly.

Blue Origin's New Glenn experienced a second stage malfunction during its third flight on April 19, resulting in the BlueBird 7 satellite being stranded in an unrecoverable orbit. The payload was deployed into a 154 by 494 km orbit, too low for operational recovery. AST SpaceMobile expects to recover costs through insurance for the lost satellite.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set for its third flight, launching the BlueBird 7 satellite for AST SpaceMobile on April 19, 2026. This mission marks the first reuse of the booster, 'Never Tell Me the Odds', which previously launched in November 2025. The rocket's engines have been replaced for this flight, enhancing performance.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set for its third mission on April 19, 2026, reusing the Never Tell Me The Odds booster, previously used for NASA's ESCAPADE mission. This launch will deploy AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite into LEO, enhancing cellular broadband services. Successful reuse would position Blue Origin as the second company to achieve this milestone.

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set to launch for the third time on April 19, 2026, utilizing a previously flown first-stage booster. The NG-3 mission will deploy the BlueBird 7 satellite into LEO. This milestone aims to enhance Blue Origin's reusability capabilities, positioning it against SpaceX's established rockets like Falcon 9.

Blue Origin conducted a 19-second static fire test of its New Glenn rocket on April 16, 2026, at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This test prepares for the NG-3 mission, scheduled for April 19, which will reuse a previously flown booster. The mission will deploy a Block 2 BlueBird satellite for AST SpaceMobile into LEO.

Blue Origin conducted a static fire test of its BE-4 engines, igniting all seven for under 30 seconds. This marks the first hot fire of a previously flown booster, indicating progress towards operational readiness. Local maritime and aviation hazards suggest a potential launch as early as Sunday, April 19, enhancing the company's launch cadence and capabilities.

Blue Origin has been selected by the U.S. Space Force to potentially develop a new launch site at Vandenberg Space Force Base for its New Glenn rocket. This decision marks a significant step towards expanding Blue Origin's launch capabilities in California, enhancing its competitive position in the U.S. launch market amid increasing demand for space access.

NASA is increasingly optimistic that both lunar lander providers, SpaceX and Blue Origin, will participate in the Artemis III test next year. Administrator Jared Isaacman expressed growing confidence during a recent interview. The test will involve an Orion crew capsule practicing rendezvous and docking with the landers, aiming for two lunar landings in 2028.

Falcon 9 is set to launch Starlink satellites this week, while Blue Origin's New Glenn will utilize a flown booster for its upcoming mission. This marks a significant operational period with six launches scheduled globally, highlighting the increasing cadence of commercial space activities. Both launches reflect advancements in reusability and satellite deployment strategies within the industry.

NASA rolled back the SLS rocket and Orion spacecraft on February 25 to replace a dislodged seal affecting helium flow. The Artemis II mission is set for launch in early April, with a new upper stage based on Centaur V planned for future missions. A report highlighted risks in lunar landers developed by SpaceX and Blue Origin for Artemis.

NASA’s Artemis II mission will send astronauts around the Moon in 2026, marking humanity's return since 1972. Concurrently, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon MK1 will test a cargo lander for lunar missions. The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aims to launch by fall 2026, mapping galaxies and exoplanets, while ESA’s PLATO mission will search for rocky planets in December 2026.

Blue Origin's second flight of the New Glenn rocket is now scheduled for no earlier than August 15, as announced by CEO Dave Limp. This delay follows the first launch on January 16, where the upper stage reached orbit, but the booster stage exploded during landing attempts. The company aims to recover the booster on this upcoming flight.