SpaceX and Blue Origin both face FAA mishap probes

SpaceX is not the only company involved in a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) mishap inquiry. Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin has also come under scrutiny after losing its New Glenn rocket’s first stage.

Blue Origin is leading the investigation, with the involvement of the FAA, which must also approve the final report, including any corrective actions.

According to the agency: “A return to flight is based on the FAA determining that any system, process, or procedure related to the mishap does not affect public safety.”

Blue Origin’s New Glenn launched for the first time on January 16. The mission’s objective was to reach orbit, which the company managed. Recovering the booster by landing it on a sea-based platform was a secondary goal and the company did not achieve this.

According to Blue Origin boss Dave Limp, the Blue Ring pathfinder spacecraft carried by New Glenn hit its main targets and was inserted into the desired orbit with a 19,300 km apogee and a 2,400 km perigee. Limp said there was “a less than 1 percent deviation from our exact orbital injection target.”

Apart from stating: “We lost the booster during descent,” Blue Origin has said little about the fate of the first stage, noting only that landing on the first try was ambitious. Telemetry from the first stage during the launch webcast froze at the t+00:07:55 mark, showing the booster at an altitude of 84,226 feet and traveling at 4,285 miles per hour.

The commentator confirmed that three of the first stage’s BE-4 engines had ignited as planned. However, the data froze before the next landing phase could be announced, during which two of the engines would shut down, leaving a single engine running as the booster descended.

Although booster recovery was not a primary goal, the FAA seeks more information from Blue Origin about the incident.

Two launches, two mishap investigations

The FAA has also kicked off a mishap investigation into the explosion of SpaceX’s Starship during the monster rocket’s seventh test flight. While SpaceX boss Elon Musk called the incident “entertainment,” the FAA had to activate a “Debris Response Area” and briefly slow aircraft outside the area where debris was falling or halt aircraft at their departure location.

The agency said: “Several aircraft requested to divert due to low fuel levels while holding outside impacted areas.”

Blue Origin’s primary goal was reaching orbit, which it achieved. SpaceX’s aim was almost certainly not showering the Caribbean with pieces of Starship. ®