The company was conducting hotfire testing in preparation for New Glenn’s next mission.
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station as the company was conducting ground tests for an upcoming launch. The company reported that it “experienced an anomaly” during Hotfire testing and would provide more details about the incident when it has more information. At X, company owner Jeff Bezos said all workers are safe and responsible. Blue Origin has already started an investigation, but it is too early to know the root cause of the explosion. “It’s a very difficult day, but whatever needs to be rebuilt, we will rebuild and get back to flying,” he said. “it’s worth it.
As you can see in the footage of the explosion above, it destroyed much of the rocket, structure, and surrounding equipment. As the new York Times According to reports, this is Blue Origin’s only launchpad for New Glenn and it may take several months for the company to get it right.
The incident could impact Blue Origin’s participation in NASA’s Artemis and Moon Base programs, which are expected to provide a commercial lunar lander for both cargo and crew. NASA also chose Blue Origin over SpaceX for the Moon Base I mission, which it hopes to launch this autumn. Blue Origin’s lunar missions require the use of its New Glenn rocket, but with its launchpad no longer operational, NASA may have to rethink its plans.
“NASA is aware of an anomaly tonight involving Blue Origin’s new Glenn rocket at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station,” NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman wrote on Twitter. “As soon as the Artemis and Moon Base programs become available.”
Blue Origin has received approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to relaunch its New Glenn rocket. The FAA grounded New Glenn on its third mission after it failed to deploy a payload into orbit. It oversaw the company’s investigation and determined that the incident was “caused by a cryogenic leak that froze the hydraulic line and caused a thrust anomaly during the second stage engine burn.” After the FAA gave the company permission to relaunch New Glenn, it immediately began preparing the rocket for its next mission, which apparently won’t be in the near future.
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