Blue Origin faces launch pad setback after New Glenn explosion
Ars Technica reports the blast destroyed New Glenn’s only launch pad, raising questions for NASA, commercial customers and ULA’s Vulcan.
By James Whitfield · Staff Writer
2 min read
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket remains grounded nearly a month after it exploded during a static-fire test on its Florida launch pad, according to Ars Technica senior space editor Eric Berger. The blast destroyed LC-36A, the rocket’s only launch site, leaving the company without a place to fly the vehicle even if engineers quickly identify the failure’s cause, Berger reported.
Berger described the incident as likely the largest rocket explosion ever at the historic Florida spaceport. The loss matters because New Glenn had become increasingly important to NASA plans and to commercial satellite operators seeking a super-heavy-lift option outside SpaceX’s Falcon fleet, according to Ars Technica.
Blue Origin officials, including founder Jeff Bezos, have said New Glenn will fly again from LC-36A before the end of the year, Berger reported. He also wrote that the timetable is being met with broad skepticism, given the destruction of the pad and the unresolved questions about the rocket failure.
Questions for NASA and commercial customers
Ars Technica reported that the accident raises questions for NASA’s Artemis program, including the schedule for Artemis III, the mission intended to land humans on the Moon, and Artemis IV. Berger also pointed to uncertainty around plans tied to a future Moon base.
The commercial effects could extend beyond NASA. According to Ars Technica, customers that had lined up for New Glenn include Amazon’s Project Leo constellation, AST SpaceMobile and other companies building satellite networks.
Berger reported that Blue Origin has said little publicly about what caused the static-fire failure. He wrote that sources have indicated the problem was related to the rocket’s main engines.
That possibility could have consequences beyond New Glenn. The BE-4 engines used by New Glenn also power United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, Ars Technica reported, making the cause of the failure relevant to another major U.S. launch vehicle.
Live discussion scheduled
Ars Technica said it will hold a live discussion on the New Glenn aftermath on Tuesday, June 30, at 1 p.m. ET. Berger is scheduled to be joined by Caleb Henry, director of research at Quilty Space, and Anthony Colangelo, host of the Main Engine Cut Off podcast.
The discussion is expected to cover the implications for Artemis, commercial launches, Blue Origin’s return-to-flight plans and any potential effects on Vulcan, according to Ars Technica.
This story draws on original reporting from Ars Technica.