ASTS: BlueBird-7 Launch Failure Event Analysis and Investment Implications

Event Summary

On April 19 , Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket conducted its third flight (NG-3) carrying AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird-7 communications satellite. This was the first time New Glenn flew a previously-flown first-stage booster, and its first commercial payload mission. The first stage successfully landed at sea (the second successful landing in New Glenn’s history), but the second-stage BE-3U hydrolox engine failed to complete its relight sequence, leaving the satellite stranded in an orbit far below the intended altitude. While the satellite successfully separated and powered on, its onboard propulsion was insufficient to raise itself to the target orbit. ASTS engineer Loren Reed confirmed the satellite as a total loss, with a controlled deorbit to follow. ASTS stated the loss is covered by insurance.

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Responsibility Lies with Blue Origin, Not ASTS

The failure to achieve the intended orbit was a launch provider issue. The satellite separated normally and powered on successfully, indicating no fault in ASTS hardware. New Glenn’s second stage uses two BE-3U hydrolox engines (liquid hydrogen + liquid oxygen). The inaugural flight NG-1 (January 2025) also experienced an upper-stage anomaly. A record of 1 failure in 3 flights means second-stage reliability remains unproven.