News · 21 April 2026
Jeff Bezos's rocket grounded after satellite fails to orbit
Photo by Ellienore B. on Unsplash
A satellite meant for mobile phone connectivity is unusable following a launch failure, causing shares for AST SpaceMobile to drop over 6%. Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket attempted to place the AST SpaceMobile satellite on Sunday but failed to get it into the correct orbit. The Federal Aviation Administration has grounded the rocket and is overseeing an investigation into its engine's insufficient thrust.
Reported by BBC · How we write briefs