Blue Origin plans to launch its third New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Sunday during a two-hour window that opens at 6:45 a.m. EDT (1045 UTC). It will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite to provide direct to cell phone services from space.
The engine test, called a static fire, saw the company ignite all seven of its BE-4 engines for less than half a minute. Local maritime and aviation hazards suggest a launch could happen as soon as Sunday, April 19.
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).