Blue Origin successfully reused its New Glenn rocket
Apr 19, 2026
Liftoff. | Anadolu via Getty Images
Today's launch of AST SpaceMobile's BlueBird 7 satellite aboard Blue Origin's reusable New Glenn rocket was a partial success. The New Glenn touched down on its landing pad without incident, making it the second launch and landing for the first stage boost
er, and officially giving Jeff Bezos a reusable launch vehicle. Unfortunately for AST SpaceMobile, the mission was less successful. Its cell-tower-in-space was delivered to a lower orbit than expected by the second stage of the launch vehicle, rendering it functionally useless.
In a statement, the company said:
While the satellite separated from the launch vehicle and powered on, the alt …
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