Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin rocket company can start flying its New Shepard vehicle again once it corrects the Federal Aviation Authority’s list of problems on a rocket flight that failed on September 12th 2022.

The FAA stated: “We have closed the Blue Origin New Shepard mishap investigation. The final report cites multiple root causes of the Sept. 12, 2022 mishap and 21 corrective actions Blue Origin must take. This does not signal resumption of New Shepard launches.”

The FAA stipulates that a redesign of engine and nozzle components mut be made to improve structural performance during operation as well as organisational changes.

“During the mishap the onboard launch vehicle systems detected the anomaly, triggered an abort and separation of the capsule from the propulsion module as intended and shut down the engine. The capsule landed safety and the propulsion module was destroyed upon impact with the ground. All debris landed within the designated hazard area. Public safety was maintained at all times with no injuries or public property damage,” added the FAA. “Blue Origin must implement all corrective actions that impact public safety and receive a license modification from the FAA that addresses all safety and other applicable regulatory requirements prior to the next New Shepard launch.”

Blue Origin responded saying: “We’ve received the FAA’s letter and plan to fly soon. We continue to make progress on our Commercial Destinations Space Act Agreement with NASA, and Blue Origin’s vision of millions of people living and working in space to benefit Earth. Our team is currently testing window frames and materials in a relevant space environment.”

Other posts by Chris Forrester:

1. Ariane 6 launch campaign underway
2. Virgin Galactic in stock split
3. Thuraya-3 suffers major problem
4. AST SpaceMobile hit by Class Action
5. Optimism under threat at SES
6. Rivada visits Terran Orbital’s manufacturing HQ
7. Avanti wins spectrum debt obligation case
8. SpaceX breaks records for re-use launchers
9. IRIS2 already in trouble?

Categories: Blogs, Inside Satellite, Satellite

Tags: bezos, Blue Origin, FAI