Blue Origin announced on Tuesday that the recent explosion of its rocket did not damage the fuel tanks or other critical parts of the launch platform. The New Glenn rocket, essential to NASA’s Artemis lunar program, exploded during an engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The lightning tower and the transporter-erector used to move and elevate the rocket were destroyed in the explosion, sending shockwaves across the state. CEO Dave Limp stated that the methane, hydrogen, and oxygen tanks appear to be intact. The water tank is also unharmed, and the support tower remains standing and can be repaired on-site. A booster and other rocket parts stored nearby were not damaged. Overall, Limp described this as “a kind of good news” on X, adding that “we will fly again before the end of this year.” The cause of the explosion is still under investigation.
NASA awarded Blue Origin a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars just two days before the accident. The agency chose New Glenn rockets to launch two lunar explorers ahead of the Artemis mission’s moonwalkers, who will operate them. New Glenn is also needed to launch Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander, intended to transport astronauts to the lunar surface in the coming years.
The earliest target for NASA’s next lunar landing since Apollo 17 in 1972 is 2028. NASA aims to restore the operational status of the platform as soon as possible while focusing on advancing the landing module, according to administrator Jared Isaacman via X.
The New Glenn reusable rocket line, named after John Glenn, America’s first orbiting astronaut, has only been launched three times. It is significantly smaller than SpaceX’s Starship, which is conducting test flights to the edge of space from Texas. NASA has contracted Starships, along with Blue Moon landers, to carry Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface in the coming years.