Overview
- A New Glenn rocket erupted during a static hot‑fire test on Thursday, May 28, destroying the stacked vehicle and its transporter‑erector without causing injuries.
- Blue Origin regained limited access to Launch Complex 36 and says key propellant tanks, a water tank and some nearby rocket stages appear undamaged.
- CEO Dave Limp has pledged to return New Glenn to flight before the end of 2026, but the company has not yet identified the cause of the explosion.
- NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman cautioned that pad repairs could take “serious time” and said recovery into 2028 is within the realm of possibility as multiagency investigations continue.
- The loss of LC‑36 leaves Blue Origin exposed by having a single U.S. New Glenn pad, tightens launch capacity for Amazon and other customers, and raises risk for NASA’s Artemis lander and rover schedules.