The New Glenn rocket, towering at 320 feet (98 meters), represents a significant step for Blue Origin as it aims to establish itself in the competitive space launch market.

Jan. 9 (UPI) -- Rough weather has prompted space exploration company Blue Origin to postpone the launch of its New Glenn rocket, citing choppy waters in the Atlantic Ocean, making a landing potentially unsafe for its reusable fuel booster.

Kent-based Blue Origin announced Thursday it was delaying the launch of the New Glenn rocket because of bad weather.

Blue Origin’s first New Glenn rocket test flight is expected between Jan. 6-12.

Blue Origin secures FAA approval for New Glenn’s orbital launches from Florida. Certification mission set to begin

The FAA says Jeff Bezos’ space company Blue Origin has “met all safety, environmental and other licensing requirements” to launch its heavy-lift rocket New Glenn.

This license allows Blue Origin to conduct orbital missions from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida over the next five years.

The Federal Aviation Administration said on Friday that it has issued a commercial space launch license for Blue Origin's — Jeff Bezos' rocket company — New Glenn launch. Blue Origin entered into a highly competitive area it has long sought to join, as the U.S. Department of Defense picked the company