Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin faces last-minute delays in debut New Glenn rocket launch

The mission, the culmination of a decade-long, multi-billion-dollar development journey, will include an attempt to land New Glenn's first stage booster on a sea-fairing barge in the Atlantic Ocean 10 minutes after liftoff

The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket stands ready on Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Saturday, Jan. 11, 2025, in Cape Canaveral, Fla. (AP Photo/John Raoux)

Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin prepared for the inaugural launch of its New Glenn rocket from Florida early on Monday but extended the mission countdown to study unspecified last-minute issues, as it neared a pivotal debut in Earth orbit to break into the satellite launch market.

Standing 30 stories tall, the partially reusable New Glenn launcher sat on Blue Origin's launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, ready for a liftoff that was initially scheduled for 1.00am ET (6am GMT) after being loaded with methane and liquid oxygen propellants.