Jeff Bezos postpones first NASA mission rocket launch through Blue Origin

Amazon Founder Jeff Bezos has pushed back Blue Origin’s long-awaited New Glenn launch, delaying what would have been the rocket’s first major NASA mission.

The company cancelled Sunday’s liftoff after multiple delays, citing poor weather and ground equipment issues, an unwelcome setback for the rocket meant to help Blue Origin compete more aggressively with SpaceX.

Originally scheduled from Cape Canaveral, the mission was supposed to send two Rocket Lab–built spacecraft toward Mars.

Instead, the company noted that it is now “reviewing opportunities” for a new launch date, offering no revised timeline.

The uncertainty comes just as a US government shutdown triggered an FAA emergency directive restricting commercial space activity during the period when New Glenn’s backup launch window had been planned.

Blue Origin executives, including mission management vice president Laura Maginnis, said they are working with the FAA and NASA to seek exceptions that might allow an earlier relaunch.

For those unversed, New Glenn has already spent years behind schedule, and CEO Dave Limp previously stated the company hoped for multiple flights in 2025 to regain momentum.

As for Bezos, the postponed attempt marks another hurdle for Blue Origin as it tries to stay relevant in a market already dominated by SpaceX.