Blue Origin’s landing platform departs ahead of first New Glenn launch

It’s not very often a brand new rocket debuts from the Space Coast, at most a once-a-year ordeal. But here we are, static fire done, droneship… I mean, Landing Platform departing, and a TFR putting New Glenn‘s inaugural launch potentially early next week.

We’re waiting patiently for Blue Origin to announce its launch date to the public. In the meantime, there are a few other signs that Blue is getting ready for a launch next week.

The first signs that a launch was coming soon were when Blue Origin conducted its seven-engine static fire on the pad just before the new year. That took place just a few hours after the FAA granted Blue Origin a launch license for New Glenn.

This license was the final hurdle needed before Blue Origin could start launch operations. First, the team would need to replace the test payload fairings with the flight article and Blue Ring payload that sat inside. Since the static fire, we have yet to see it reemerge from its integration hangar for launch.

Next, we started to see flight restrictions for early Monday and Tuesday morning, exactly when we expected New Glenn to launch. FAA flight restrictions can be easily scheduled and canceled, so these don’t guarantee a launch. Actually, it sounds like New Glenn’s launch is now no earlier than Tuesday night, per Eric Berger’s call with the NASA Administrator.

The biggest sign that Blue Origin was ready to launch was the departure of Jacklyn, a converted barge that will serve as New Glenn’s booster landing platform. Similar to SpaceX’s strategy, the platform is towed out to sea and then, after a successful landing, is towed back.

This will be Blue Origin’s first at-sea landing. While it has succeeded dozens of times with its suborbital New Shepard booster, the added waves and drift in the ocean could make it more challenging.

Jacklyn, named after Jeff Bezos’ mother, is the platform that was built overseas and delivered last year to Blue Origin. Originally, Blue was planning on using a converted cargo ship, but that was scrapped in favor of a barge. More barges are reportedly being built for Blue in expectation of increased launches.

If you’re looking to view New Glenn’s launch in person, Cocoa Beach will be the best spot for it. LC-36, New Glenn’s launch site, is the most dominant site on the Space Coast skyline and will have ample space for crowds.