BlueBird 7 launch thread
BlueBird 7 launch thread
| Scheduled for (UTC) | 2026-04-19 10:45 |
|---|---|
| Scheduled for (local) | 2026-04-19 06:45:00 (EST) |
| Launch site | LC-36, Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA |
| Launch provider | Blue Origin |
| Launch vehicle | New Glenn (GS1-SN002) |
| Landing | Jacklyn droneship |
| Payload | BlueBird 7 |
| Payload mass | 6,100 kg |
| Target orbit | LEO |
Livestreams
| Stream | Link |
|---|---|
| Blue Origin | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=enQ_IXtfm9I |
| NASASpaceflight | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xlZVPFso4mk |
| Spaceflight Now | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ew-rXo0FWhA |
| Space Affairs | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fGagg-BSVEE |
| The Launch Pad | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PMd2nYiHwS4 |
| Avid Space | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wlA_a7XvUw |
Stats
- 1st reflight of a New Glenn booster
- 157-day turnaround for booster GS1-SN002
- 2nd booster recovery (if successful), 3rd recovery attempt
- 1st New Glenn mission of 2026, 3rd overall
- 2nd Blue Origin launch of 2026, 41st launch overall
Mission info
BlueBird Block 2 FM2 (BlueBird 7)
The next-generation Block 2 BlueBirds are designed to deliver up to 10 times the bandwidth capacity of the BlueBird satellites in orbit today, accelerating the goal to achieve 24/7 continuous cellular broadband service coverage. The service will target approximately 100% U.S. nationwide coverage from space with over 5,600 coverage cells, with beams designed to support a capacity of up to 40 MHz, enabling peak data transmission speeds up to 120 Mbps, supporting voice, full data and video applications. The Block 2 BlueBirds, featuring up to 2,400 square foot communications arrays, will be the largest ever commercially deployed in low Earth orbit once launched.