CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — Blue Origin has confirmed the launch window for the third mission of its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket, marking another step forward in the company’s expanding role in commercial spaceflight.

New Glenn’s Third Mission

Launch Details and Timeline

The mission is scheduled to lift off no earlier than Sunday, April 19, 2026, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The two-hour launch window opens at 6:45 a.m. EDT (10:45 UTC) and closes at 8:45 a.m. EDT (12:45 UTC).

Viewers can follow the mission through a live webcast hosted by Blue Origin, beginning approximately 30 minutes before liftoff.

Mission Payload: Expanding Space-Based Connectivity

At the heart of the mission is the deployment of the BlueBird 7 satellite, developed by AST SpaceMobile. The satellite is designed to enhance a growing direct-to-smartphone broadband network, an emerging technology aimed at delivering connectivity to standard mobile devices without the need for ground-based towers.

BlueBird 7 will contribute to expanding network capacity and is expected to support initial service rollout plans targeted for 2026. The broader initiative reflects a significant shift in how satellite infrastructure could complement terrestrial telecom systems, particularly in underserved or remote regions.

Reusability Milestone: Booster Returns Again

A key feature of this mission is the planned reuse of New Glenn’s first-stage booster, “Never Tell Me The Odds.” The booster previously demonstrated a successful launch and landing during the rocket’s second mission in November, underscoring Blue Origin’s commitment to reusable rocket technology—a cornerstone of cost reduction and operational efficiency in modern spaceflight.

If successful, this mission will further validate the reliability of the New Glenn system and strengthen its competitiveness in a market increasingly shaped by reusable launch vehicles.

Industry Context: Competing in a Rapidly Evolving Market

The New Glenn program represents Blue Origin’s answer to heavy-lift launch demands, positioning the company alongside major players such as SpaceX. As satellite constellations grow in scale and ambition, reliable and cost-effective launch services have become a critical component of the global space economy.

The inclusion of commercial payloads like BlueBird 7 highlights the increasing collaboration between aerospace firms and telecommunications providers, signaling a future where space-based infrastructure plays a central role in everyday connectivity.

Looking Ahead

With its third mission, New Glenn continues to build momentum as a next-generation launch platform. The combination of reusable hardware, commercial partnerships, and advanced payload capabilities places this launch among the most closely watched developments in the 2026 spaceflight calendar.

For ongoing updates, mission tracking, and live coverage, audiences can follow Blue Origin across its digital platforms or visit its official website.

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Source

Blue Origin Official Announcement – New Glenn Third Mission

Related External Links

• Learn More About Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket
• AST SpaceMobile – Space-Based Cellular Broadband Network
• Cape Canaveral Space Force Station Information
• NASA Overview of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) Operations

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Metrolink Offers Fare-Free Rides for Earth Day 2026

LOS ANGELES — April 22, 2026 — In a continued push toward sustainable transportation, Metrolink will once again offer systemwide free rides on Earth Day, inviting commuters and travelers to leave their cars behind and explore a cleaner way to move across the region.

A One-Day Opportunity to Ride Free

On Wednesday, April 22, passengers can board any Metrolink train — including the Arrow service — without purchasing a ticket. The initiative is part of the broader celebration of Earth Day, encouraging environmentally conscious travel choices.

The fare-free program is designed to appeal to both regular riders and first-time users, particularly those navigating Southern California’s persistent traffic congestion and rising fuel costs.

Encouraging Sustainable Travel Habits

“Earth Day is a reminder that small changes, like choosing public transit over driving one day a week, can have a meaningful impact on our environment,” said Doug Chaffee, chair of the Metrolink Board.

With gas prices continuing to strain household budgets, the agency hopes the initiative will inspire more residents to consider rail as part of their regular commute.

Regional Connections Expand Access

Metrolink’s Earth Day promotion aligns with similar efforts by other Southern California transit providers. Riders can seamlessly connect to services operated by: LA Metro and the Orange County Transportation Authority, Riverside County Transportation Commission, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority and Ventura County Transportation Commission.

These partnerships extend the reach of fare-free travel across a six-county region, making it easier for riders to explore destinations without relying on personal vehicles.

Service Adjustments and Rider Tips

Passengers should note that trains will operate on a reduced weekday schedule, implemented earlier this spring. Despite the adjustment, all Metrolink lines and station cities remain in service.

For those planning a trip:

• No ticket is required — simply board the train
• Bikes are welcome, with capacity ranging from three bikes per standard car to nine in designated bike cars
• A curated destination guide highlights attractions within walking or biking distance of stations

Environmental and Economic Impact

Metrolink is also promoting its Personal Impact Calculator, a digital tool that allows riders to estimate how switching from driving to rail can reduce greenhouse gas emissions and lower fuel expenses.

A Broader Trend in Public Transit

Fare-free transit days have gained traction nationwide as agencies look to boost ridership and promote sustainability. Southern California’s expansive commuter rail network makes it particularly well-suited for such initiatives, offering a viable alternative to one of the country’s most car-dependent regions.

Bottom Line

Metrolink’s Earth Day promotion is more than a one-day free ride — it’s a strategic effort to shift commuter behavior, reduce environmental impact, and showcase the convenience of regional rail. For Southern Californians, April 22 presents a low-risk opportunity to rethink how they travel.

Source: Metrolink

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Adeel Khalid, Kennesaw State University

A combination of infrared imaging, thermal imaging and color cameras on an uncrewed drone, along with an AI system to interpret the data, can help emergency responders and search-and-rescue teams locate, identify and track people who have gone missing in the wilderness. The experimental system helps responders pinpoint where a missing person is and determine whether they are hurt or even alive.

People who get lost or hurt while exploring nature can become stranded for days. Rescue teams often use drones to look for the person or signs of their whereabouts. The small drone my colleagues and I built at my lab at Kennesaw State University flies autonomously using a grid search pattern. It sends live video and images to a ground station operated by the rescue team.

When the AI system finds a person, it analyzes images to determine whether the individual is upright or lying on the ground. It segments parts of the person’s body, identifying the person’s head and the body’s position. It then zeroes in on the forehead. It extracts forehead temperature readings, pixel by pixel, from the imaging data to estimate forehead temperature. We have two papers detailing these findings accepted for the American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics Aviation Forum 2026 conference.

https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1381/8e55acef0075dfeebe10e7de53e7f0cbf5223831/site/index.html

Our AI model then assesses whether the person is conscious or unconscious and identifies abnormal temperatures that could indicate heat stress, hypothermia or other physical complications, or death – all vital information for a search-and-rescue team.

In field trials we have conducted, the system has provided consistent temperature readings of the heads of volunteers from our research team who have walked out into a variety of environments, under different conditions.

https://cdn.theconversation.com/infographics/1380/7fe5f8cf79d68c8907da060b27accb7b2051d60c/site/index.html

Why it matters

It is critical to get accurate and timely information on the whereabouts of a missing person. The likelihood that the person will survive decreases steeply as time passes.

An AI-enhanced drone can make search-and-rescue operations significantly more efficient than sending teams of people out into the environment to search on foot, especially in poor weather conditions or under thick foliage. Rescuers who know whether a person is conscious or unconscious can also better gear up for what they need to do to retrieve the person and administer aid. Our technology could save lives.

What other research is being done

Search-and-rescue personnel use various kinds of drones, but the machines often lack the ability to positively identify humans, especially under thick foliage, in bad weather or when the person is lying down or unconscious. The AI-based technology we have developed overcomes those challenges.

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Better sensors that are very lightweight, that can function at night or in rain, and can see more clearly through thick foliage could further improve our drone and drones used by others. Researchers are devising AI-powered sound recognition for detecting screams for help, advanced thermal imaging for better nighttime vision and autonomous drones that could act as first responders.

Also under development are drones that can carry heavy payloads, such as flotation devices, fly for up to 14 hours or perform real-time mapping of the ground below.

What’s next

One of our next steps is to have multiple drones fly together and autonomously coordinate search-and-rescue operations among themselves. This will allow the technology to cover a much larger area, perhaps hundreds of square miles.

We are also designing a large drone that can carry up to 110 pounds (50 kilograms) of payload and stay aloft for an hour.

The Research Brief is a short take on interesting academic work.

Adeel Khalid, Professor of Industrial & Systems Engineering, Kennesaw State University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

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