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Space Intel Report • Peter B. de Selding

AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 declared lost after New Glenn NG-3 deploys satellite into an incorrect orbit

Blue Origin’s New Glenn completed a third operational flight (NG-3) with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 as the primary payload, following a milestone booster reflight. However, BlueBird 7 was inserted into a lower-than-planned, incorrect orbit and was declared lost, with AST SpaceMobile stating it will deorbit the satellite.

2026-04-19T11:55:54.993918-07:00

Bloomberg

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp targets 8–12 launches in 2026 as satellite connectivity demand accelerates

2026-04-20T00:29:23.804710-07:00

Spaceflight Now

Blue Origin targets April 19 for New Glenn NG-3 relaunch, aiming to prove heavy-lift reflight with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7

2026-04-16T06:15:38.508679-07:00

NASA Spaceflight

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

2026-04-13T13:34:42.658975-07:00

News Timeline

Bloomberg

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp targets 8–12 launches in 2026 as satellite connectivity demand accelerates Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the company wants to fly 8 to 12 launches this year, pointing to “unprecedented demand” for satellite launches driven by the expansion of satellite-based internet and connectivity services. The comments frame launch volume as a near-term response to growing constellation rollouts.

2026-04-20T00:29:23.804710-07:00

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp targets 8–12 launches in 2026 as satellite connectivity demand accelerates

Space Intel Report

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AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 declared lost after New Glenn NG-3 deploys satellite into an incorrect orbit Blue Origin’s New Glenn completed a third operational flight (NG-3) with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 as the primary payload, following a milestone booster reflight. However, BlueBird 7 was inserted into a lower-than-planned, incorrect orbit and was declared lost, with AST SpaceMobile stating it will deorbit the satellite.

2026-04-19T11:55:54.993918-07:00

AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 declared lost after New Glenn NG-3 deploys satellite into an incorrect orbit

Spaceflight Now

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Blue Origin targets April 19 for New Glenn NG-3 relaunch, aiming to prove heavy-lift reflight with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 Blue Origin says New Glenn’s third operational flight, NG-3, is now targeted for no earlier than Sunday, April 19. The launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station will carry AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 and follow a key reuse-focused test of a previously flown booster, in a competitive sprint against SpaceX.

2026-04-16T06:15:38.508679-07:00

Blue Origin targets April 19 for New Glenn NG-3 relaunch, aiming to prove heavy-lift reflight with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7

Ars Technica

Blue Origin launches a new employee stock plan tied to ‘liquidity events,’ drawing internal pushback Blue Origin has introduced a new employee stock plan positioned to support future “liquidity events,” but the rollout is not universally welcomed inside the company. Coverage highlights tensions around how and when employees might realize value from equity incentives.

2026-04-15T07:12:32.442315-07:00

Blue Origin launches a new employee stock plan tied to ‘liquidity events,’ drawing internal pushback

SpaceNews.com

U.S. Space Force advances Blue Origin heavy-launch lease at Vandenberg after Dec. 30 RFI The U.S. Space Force selected Blue Origin to continue in the process toward a final determination of a lease in response to a Dec. 30, 2025 Request for Information. The decision advances Blue Origin’s work toward heavy launch capability development at Vandenberg.

2026-04-14T16:43:18.539662-07:00

U.S. Space Force advances Blue Origin heavy-launch lease at Vandenberg after Dec. 30 RFI

NASA Spaceflight

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Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission A busy week of six launches is scheduled globally, including SpaceX’s Falcon 9 mission deploying Starlink satellites and Blue Origin’s New Glenn launch with a flown booster. The run underscores how multiple providers are sustaining high-frequency access to low Earth orbit with operationally recycled hardware.

2026-04-13T13:34:42.658975-07:00

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

SpaceNews.com

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Starcloud raises $170M Series A at $1.1B to build orbital data centres Starcloud closed a $170 million Series A at a $1.1 billion valuation to develop orbital data centres, pursuing a 'one satellite, one GPU' architecture. The raise underscores strong investor demand and the startup's flight heritage as competition to host AI compute in LEO accelerates.

2026-03-30T04:17:43.219236-07:00

Starcloud raises $170M Series A at $1.1B to build orbital data centres

Ars Technica

Blue Origin rolls out new stock-option plan to retain staff as it tries to catch up Blue Origin has introduced a new stock-option plan intended to retain employees and close gaps with industry rivals as the company seeks to catch up in commercial space. Executives framed the move with a defiant quip: "It's a big fat middle finger for those that thought they had something."

2026-03-09T18:20:15.987502-07:00

Blue Origin rolls out new stock-option plan to retain staff as it tries to catch up

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Blue Origin News

AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 declared lost after New Glenn NG-3 deploys satellite into an incorrect orbit

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp targets 8–12 launches in 2026 as satellite connectivity demand accelerates

Blue Origin targets April 19 for New Glenn NG-3 relaunch, aiming to prove heavy-lift reflight with AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7

Launch Preview: Falcon 9 to send up more Starlink; New Glenn slated for a flown-booster mission

News Timeline