Van Horn, Texas — Blue Origin has postponed the launch of its 35th New Shepard mission, initially scheduled for Saturday, August 23. The company reported a problem with avionics related to the rocket’s booster, prompting officials to scrub the launch and announce future updates regarding a new launch date.

Founded by Jeff Bezos, the commercial spaceflight company aims to conduct its 200th payload mission during this upcoming uncrewed flight. This mission will send a variety of educational experiments and research developed by students and academic teams above the Kármán line, the internationally recognized boundary of space. When the mission goes ahead, it will take off from Blue Origin’s Launch Site One in West Texas.

A live webcast of the anticipated 10-minute flight is planned to begin 15 minutes prior to launch. Viewers will have the opportunity to tune in through BlueOrigin.com and selected partner services, if the stream is made available.

The New Shepard capsule, designated “RSS H.G. Wells,” will specifically focus on transporting scientific payloads rather than crew members. Both the booster and capsule are designed for recovery, with the booster executing a controlled landing while the capsule descends back to Earth using parachutes.

Among the payloads designated for this mission are numerous experiments selected through NASA’s TechRise Student Challenge, which includes studying plant growth in microgravity and investigating the physical properties of liquids. In addition, the Teachers in Space program has contributed experiments that focus on environmental monitoring, including sound levels, radiation, and atmospheric conditions experienced during flight.

Other contributing institutions include the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory, Oklahoma State University, and the University of Florida. Notably, Carthage College in Wisconsin plans to test new techniques for measuring propellant levels in space, while a Teledyne payload will assess a spacecraft fuel cell system, potentially for use in missions to the Moon and Mars.

The flight will also carry 432 sensors designed to measure the effects of a new chemical coating, alongside a modified fluorescence imaging system, which will undergo its first suborbital test after previous applications aboard the International Space Station.

Furthermore, Blue Origin continues its tradition of promoting educational outreach by transporting postcards on behalf of its nonprofit initiative, “Club For the Future.” Students and other community members send decorated cards, which are stamped to indicate they have reached space before being returned.

This upcoming flight represents the fifth mission for the H.G. Wells capsule and the 21st dedicated New Shepard cargo mission. As anticipation builds, the team remains focused on ensuring the reliability and safety of the launch vehicle before setting a new date for flight.