Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, has been making headlines with its upcoming New Glenn rocket launches. Publicly available regulatory documents reveal that Blue Origin is bound by specific time frames and dates for these launches.
Notably, each launch window shared by Blue Origin has been scheduled between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. ET. This timing has raised questions about why such high-stakes missions are being conducted in the dead of night.
A spokesperson for the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), responsible for licensing commercial rocket launches, shed light on the rationale behind these late-night launches. The FAA takes a cautious approach when approving the inaugural mission of a new rocket.
According to the spokesperson, setting a launch window involves considering three key factors. Firstly, the readiness of the rocket is crucial to ensure a successful launch. Secondly, the schedule of the range, which is a branch of the US military monitoring weather and safety concerns, plays a significant role. Lastly, the availability of airspace is essential to prevent interference with commercial aviation.
For the maiden launch of a new and untested space vehicle, the FAA prioritizes minimizing potential disruptions to commercial aviation. By scheduling launches during the early hours of the morning, airspace can be allocated to accommodate the rocket's trajectory without conflicting with regular air traffic.
This careful planning and coordination between Blue Origin and the FAA demonstrate a commitment to safety and efficiency in the realm of commercial spaceflight. As Blue Origin prepares for the debut of its New Glenn rocket, the public can expect to witness these meticulously planned launches in the early hours, ensuring a smooth and successful mission.
