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Blue Origin’s first launch of its New Glenn rocket was supposed to send up a pair of Mars-bound satellites for NASA, but uncertain readiness plans last year forced NASA to yank back its payload. Now things are lining up for the mission to finally take flight.

The company announced Thursday the second launch of its heavy-lift rocket would be for the ESCAPE mission, although it did not announce a target launch date.

“This will be an exciting mission for New Glenn and Mars exploration,” Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp posted on X. “ESCAPADE is not only New Glenn’s first interplanetary mission, it’s also the first multi-spacecraft orbital science mission to study the Martian magnetosphere. And, we hope to land and recover our booster for the first time. Mars, here we come.”

Dubbed NG-2, the mission will also fly a technology demonstration for commercial satellite company Viasat in support of NASA Space Operations Mission Directorate’s Communications Services Project.

When it does lift off, the mission will fly again from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36. The debut launch came in January, thrilling crowds that were gathered only 5 miles south of the site. read more

By MINGSON LAU, Associated Press

WILMINGTON, Del. (AP) — A settlement was announced Thursday in court in a class action investors’ lawsuit against Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg and current and former company leaders over claims stemming from the privacy scandal involving the Cambridge Analytica political consulting firm.

The suit had sought billions of dollars in reimbursement for fines and legal costs. No details on the settlement were shared when it was announced in Delaware’s Court of Chancery at the start of what would have been the second day of trial, at which point nothing related to the settlement had been filed with the court.

The attorneys involved left court without commenting. A communications representative from Meta said the company had no comment.

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Chapter 7

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for liquidation under Chapter 7 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Safari Heritage Parts Inc., 3454 Aloma Ave.,  Winter Park. Filed: July 8. Assets: $0. Liabilities: $1,533,940. Major creditors: American Coradius International, Buffalo, N.Y., $1,293,995; U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C., $150,000; Processing & Disbursement Center, Fort Worth, Texas, $15,000. Creditors meeting: Aug. 18.

Chapter 11

Central Florida individuals and businesses that have filed for reorganization and protection from creditors under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code include:

Endless Possibilities Therapy and Learning LLC, 3880 Catalina St., Titusville. Filed: June 26. Assets: $0-$50,000. Liabilities: $100,001-$500,000. Major creditors: Ascendus, New York City, $16,112; U.S. Small Business Administration, Washington, D.C., $13,700; Tracy Boyd, Rockledge, $9,538. Creditors meeting: July 28.

BMI Smart Parking Lots LLC, 5282 Patch Road, Orlando. Filed: June 27. Assets: $0-$50,000. Liabilities: $0-$50,000. Major creditors: Not  available. Creditors meeting: July 28. read more

By ALEX VEIGA, AP Business Writer

The average rate on a 30-year U.S. mortgage rose for the second week in a row, another setback for the U.S. housing market, which is mired in a sales slump as affordability constraints shut out prospective homebuyers.

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The long-term rate ticked up to 6.75% from 6.72% last week, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said Thursday. A year ago, the rate averaged 6.77%.

Borrowing costs on 15-year fixed-rate mortgages, popular with homeowners refinancing their home loans, also rose. The average rate increased to 5.92% from 5.86% last week. A year ago, it was 6.05%, Freddie Mac said. read more

By MATTHEW PERRONE, AP Health Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Food and Drug Administration is allowing vaping brand Juul to keep its e-cigarettes on the market, providing relief to a company that has struggled for years after being widely blamed for sparking the teen vaping trend.

FDA regulators said Thursday that Juul’s studies show its e-cigarettes are less harmful for adult smokers, who can benefit from switching completely to vaping.

The FDA decision applies to both tobacco- and menthol-flavored versions of the reusable product, which works with nicotine-filled cartridges sold in two different strengths. Juul previously discontinued several fruit and candy flavors that helped drive its popularity but were favored by teens.

Juul will be one of only two U.S. companies authorized to sell menthol-flavored vapes, which many adults prefer to tobacco flavor.

“This is an important milestone for the company and I think we made a scientifically sound case for the role that menthol can play in e-vapor,” Juul CEO K.C. Crosthwaite told The Associated Press. read more