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Mon, 20 Apr 2026

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 Blue Origin rocket grounded after satellite 'mishap'

The firm founded by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos is investigating the failed launch.

* Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket has been grounded by the FAA after a "mishap" during its failed launch of an AST SpaceMobile satellite.
* The launch attempt was unable to reach intended orbit, with Blue Origin's CEO Dave Limp attributing the failure to insufficient engine thrust.
* The incident will be investigated by Blue Origin with oversight from the FAA, which will determine when New Glenn can be launched again.
* The failed mission has led to a 6% drop in AST SpaceMobile's share price and may have implications for Blue Origin's plans for a dozen launches this year.
* The incident highlights the growing importance of satellite technology for mobile phone connectivity and internet access, with companies like Amazon and SpaceX also investing heavily in this area.