[Generated Title]: Blue Origin's Launch Exemption Plea: Desperate or Justified?
So, Blue Origin is whining about launch windows now? Give me a break. They want the FAA to bend the rules because of some government shutdown BS from last year? Let's be real, the FAA issued an order restricting commercial launches to between 10 p.m. and 6 a.m. to reduce impacts on the National Airspace System due to a government shutdown that began Oct. 1, 2025. But is that really Blue Origin's problem?
New Glenn's Martian Dreams (and FAA Nightmares)
The whole thing smacks of desperation. Their New Glenn rocket—which, let's not forget, already had one less-than-stellar launch where the booster faceplanted into the Atlantic—is supposed to be hauling NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars. ESCAPADE probes are scheduled to arrive at Mars in 2027 to study the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian magnetosphere and atmosphere. Cute name, right? ESCAPADE. Makes it sound like a spring break trip, not a multi-million dollar scientific endeavor.
The initial launch is scheduled for Nov. 9, 2025, at 2:45 p.m. Eastern, with a 65% chance of acceptable weather. But oh no, there's a backup on Nov. 10, 2025, at 2:40 p.m. Eastern, and that might be affected by the FAA's bedtime rules.
Here’s the thing: SpaceX, as usual, is eating their lunch. SpaceX's Falcon 9 launch of Starlink satellites, originally planned for a four-hour window opening at 5:12 p.m. Eastern Nov. 10, has been delayed to no earlier than 10 p.m. Eastern that day. Coincidence? I think not. Musk probably had a good laugh about that one.
What's the Real Holdup?
Blue Origin claims they need this exemption to keep the ESCAPADE mission on track. Right. Because a couple of hours makes that much of a difference when you're talking about a trip to Mars that's gonna take years. Sounds like someone's feeling the heat to deliver something—anything—after years of vaporware and Bezos joyrides to the edge of space.
This is the second New Glenn launch; the first occurred in January 2025. The first New Glenn launch reached orbit, but the first stage failed to land on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean due to an engine relight issue. They've made changes to their propellant management system and minor hardware changes to increase the likelihood of landing the booster on this mission. Good for them. Maybe they should focus on actually landing the damn thing instead of crying to the FAA about launch windows. Blue Origin seeking exemption from FAA order restricting commercial launches - SpaceNews
And speaking of landing, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering launch viewing opportunities at the Gantry at LC-39, the Apollo/Saturn V Center (Banana Creek Launch Viewing Area), and the Main Visitor Complex. So, you can pay to watch them maybe stick the landing this time. Fun for the whole family.
Thirty-three minutes after liftoff, a secondary payload from Viasat will be activated to test communications technologies as part of NASA’s Communications Services Project. The overall NG-2 mission will conclude about one hour and 40 minutes after liftoff, with the upper stage entering a heliocentric disposal orbit. So, a few minutes of comms testing and then…space junk. Makes you think, doesn't it?
Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe they really do need this exemption. But something about the whole thing just smells off. Like burnt rocket fuel and desperation.
Is Anyone Actually Surprised?
The whole situation just screams "rich guy problems." Blue Origin wants what it wants, and when it wants it. The FAA, offcourse, probably doesn't want the hassle of saying "no" to Bezos. So, what's gonna happen? My guess? They'll cave. They always do.
And then we'll all pretend that this launch is some giant leap for mankind, instead of just another ego trip funded by questionable tax practices.