Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket on January 16 from Cape Canaveral, Florida, reaching orbit but failing to land the first stage on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean as planned. The second stage reached its intended orbit with all systems functioning as expected.
The payload for the mission, Blue Ring Pathfinder, tested communications and power systems while attached to the upper stage. The company’s CEO, Dave Limp, stated that the mission objectives were met within the six-hour journey, with a successful insertion into orbit.
However, the first stage’s telemetry froze at around T+7:55 minutes, during the scheduled end of a three-engine reentry burn. Blue Origin has been ordered to conduct a mishap investigation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which will involve the company and FAA participation.
Despite the failed landing attempt, Limp said that the company considered reaching orbit its primary objective and considered the launch successful. The FAA requires approval of the final report and any corrective actions before allowing launches to resume. It is unclear if this investigation will impact the scheduled spring launch of New Glenn.
Source: https://spacenews.com/faa-requires-mishap-investigation-for-failed-new-glenn-landing