Blue Origin aims to fly New Glenn by year end explosion

Blue Origin plans to return its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket to flight before the end of this year, the company’s chief executive said, following a dramatic launch pad explosion last week that destroyed the vehicle. The incident occurred during a routine engine test at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, but caused no injuries.

Chief Executive Dave Limp stated that an initial assessment found the damage was not as severe as initially feared. Key infrastructure, including propellant tanks for liquid oxygen, liquid hydrogen, and liquid natural gas, as well as a nearby processing hangar and water tower, survived the blast in good condition. The main support gantry sustained damage but can be repaired in place, according to Limp. A previously flown first-stage booster and three upper stages housed in the facility also appear undamaged.

The explosion destroyed the rocket and its transporter-erector, the mobile structure used to move and position the vehicle on the pad. Limp noted the company had already been developing an alternative vertical assembly system and will now accelerate its implementation, eliminating the need to replace the damaged transporter.