Solar storms delay the launch of Blue Origin’s big new rocket with Mars orbiters for NASA

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Intense solar storms responsible for breathtaking auroras across the United States delayed the launch of Blue Origin’s big new rocket on Wednesday.

Already grounded due to bad weather, the New Glenn rocket was about to take off Wednesday afternoon with two Mars orbiters for NASA from Florida. But five hours before the scheduled takeoff, it was canceled due to increased solar activity.

Concerned about the possible impact of increased radiation on its Mars-bound spacecraft, NASA decided to postpone the launch until conditions improve. No new launch date has been set.

This will be only the second flight of a New Glenn rocket, which debuted in January. At 321 feet (98 meters), it is considerably larger and more powerful than the New Shepard Blue Origin rockets that Jeff Bezos launches from Texas with passengers.

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