Blue Origin was unsuccessful in recovering its first stage booster, but was able to achieve its primary goal of reaching orbit. Liftoff from pad 36 occurred at 2:03 a.m. EST (0703 UTC).
Blue Origin stood down from launch after multiple adjustments to the launch time. It ultimately determined that a technical issue was insurmountable in the time remaining on Monday.
The important test is one of final big hurdles for Blue Origin to clear before it’s ready to launch on its inaugural orbital flight. Blue Origin didn’t announce a launch date following the FAA’s announcement of its launch license approval.
A batch of rockets will support sending up to about 60 of AST SpaceMobile’s Block 2 BlueBird satellites to orbit. The company’s goal is to establish a space-based cellular broadband network.
The twin spacecraft, named Blue and Gold, left Rocket Lab’s Long Beach facilities on Thursday to begin the trip to Florida. The EscaPADE mission will launch aboard Blue Origin’s first New Glenn rocket.