Blue Origin targets Sunday launch from Florida for next New Glenn mission

ORLANDO, Fla. - Blue Origin is targeting no earlier than Sunday, April 19, 2026, for the third launch of its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, the company said.

The launch from Launch Complex 36 will take place within a window from 6:45 a.m. to 8:45 a.m. EDT.

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The rocket will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into low Earth orbit. The satellite is designed to expand direct-to-smartphone broadband service and support early commercial rollout in 2026.

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Blue Origin, founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos in 2000, is a private aerospace company focused on developing reusable rockets and expanding commercial access to space. 

Blue Origin's New Glenn to launch 3rd mission into space

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set to launch its third mission to space this weekend, Sunday, April 19. The launch window opens at 6:45 a.m. 

The company has gradually moved from suborbital tourism flights with its New Shepard vehicle to larger orbital launch capabilities with New Glenn, a heavy-lift rocket designed to compete in the commercial satellite launch market.

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The upcoming mission will also attempt to recover New Glenn’s first-stage booster, named "Never Tell Me The Odds," which successfully landed during the rocket’s second mission in November. 

A New Glenn rocket will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into orbit as part of the NG-3 mission.

Booster reusability is a key part of Blue Origin’s strategy to lower launch costs and increase flight frequency.

Blue Origin said live coverage of the launch will begin 30 minutes before liftoff on its website.