A technical issue has caused Blue Origin to postpone the maiden launch of its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket. The aerospace company, founded by Jeff Bezos, had initially scheduled the launch for early morning on January 13, 2025, from Florida’s Space Coast. The launch window, lasting three hours, opened at 1 a.m. EST. The attempt was delayed multiple times before being officially called off at approximately 3:10 a.m. EST.

Launch Attempt Affected by Ice Formation

According to Blue Origin, as reported by space.com, ice formed within a purge line on an auxiliary power unit responsible for driving hydraulic systems. The issue was reported through the company’s post on X (formerly Twitter) and led to the scrubbing of the mission. The auxiliary power unit’s malfunction extended beyond the allowable launch window, preventing liftoff. Efforts to troubleshoot and resolve the issue are ongoing.

Revised Launch Schedule Announced

After the initial delay, a new launch window was set for January 14, 2025, during the same three-hour timeframe. However, subsequent assessments led the company to postpone the launch further to January 16, 2025. This adjustment provides Blue Origin additional time to address the complications.

Previous Postponements

The mission, titled NG-1, was originally scheduled for January 10, 2025. It was delayed due to adverse sea conditions in the Atlantic Ocean, where the reusable first stage of the 320-foot-tall rocket is planned to land. This stage will be recovered aboard a ship named Jacklyn, honouring Jeff Bezos’ mother.

Significance of New Glenn’s Maiden Flight

New Glenn represents Blue Origin’s inaugural orbital-class rocket. A pathfinder version of the Blue Ring spacecraft platform will be launched as part of this test flight. Development of New Glenn has spanned nearly a decade, marking a significant milestone for the company, which currently operates suborbital missions with its New Shepard vehicle.

Solar activity over the past three years has been transformed into audible sound through data collected by the Solar Orbiter, a joint mission by the European Space Agency (ESA) and NASA. This innovative sonification captures the progression of solar flares, highlighting changes in solar activity as the Sun approaches its 11-year cycle peak. Visual and auditory cues were used to represent solar flares, allowing researchers and the public to experience these events in a novel way.

Visual and Auditory Interpretation of Solar Data

According to data from ESA’s Solar Orbiter mission, images from the Spectrometer/Telescope for Imaging X-rays (STIX) and the Extreme Ultraviolet Imager (EUI) were combined to create this unique representation. Blue circles were mapped to show the location and size of X-rays emitted by solar flares, while the Sun’s outer atmosphere was depicted in yellow. Each blue circle was paired with an audible tone, increasing in frequency as solar activity intensified.

Correlations with the Solar Cycle

As reported by space.com, the frequency of solar flares has increased, aligning with the Sun’s approach toward solar maximum, the most active phase of its cycle. The U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and NASA have confirmed that the solar maximum is currently underway, marking an ideal period for observing phenomena such as the northern lights.

Orbital Proximity Reflected in Sound

Klaus Nielsen, affiliated with DTU Space and Maple Pools, developed the sonification. It was noted that the background hum within the audio reflected the elliptical orbit of Solar Orbiter. Every six months, the spacecraft’s proximity to the Sun changes, with the sound intensifying as it moves closer and softening as it moves farther away.

This collaboration provides insights into the Sun’s behaviour, offering an engaging way to study space weather and solar activity. The project highlights the potential of integrating auditory elements into scientific data for enhanced understanding.