While preparations for the first launch of Blue Origin’s New Shepard rocket are accelerating, the company acknowledges there is still “lots to do”.

There is considerable industry skepticism that Blue Origin can get New Glenn ready in time to meet that launch window, particularly given the tasks ahead and the inherent challenges in getting to a first launch of a new rocket. For example, the first launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur faced months of delays even after it performed a static-fire test on the pad in June 2023.

If New Glenn is not ready by the time the ESCAPADE launch window closes Oct. 21, it’s not clear what payload will fly in its place on the rocket’s inaugural launch, or even what will happen to ESCAPADE itself.