Satellite burns up after Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launch fails to reach correct orbit

The third launch of Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket failed to reach the correct orbit due to a second-stage engine problem, dooming its payload to a fiery destruction on reentry. The rocket lifted off at 7:25 a.m. EDT (1125 UTC) on Sunday, April 19, 2026, carrying the BlueBird 7 satellite for AST SpaceMobile. The craft, equipped with a massive antenna array, was to provide cellphone service from space. It was a serious setback, but Blue Origin can take some consolation in the successful recovery of the first stage booster, 'Never Tell Me the Odds', which was flying for a second time but equipped with new engines. In this video, we cover what went right, what went wrong, the implications, and what comes next. Additional video: • AST SpaceMobile • Blue Origin • Chuck & Jen Briggs • Pete Carstens Thumbnail image: John Pisani, Spaceflight Now. This coverage is made possible by the support of our members. Join this channel to help us expand our coverage and get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCoLdERT4-TJ82PJOHSrsZLQ/join