Blue Origin rebuilds tower at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base 5 months after New Glenn explosion, CEO says
Blue Origin rebuilds its launch pad, expanding operations
Blue Origin is making significant progress for its launch pad rebuild, after an explosion back in May. NASA has high hopes for the company to send people to the moon, however there are still questions about what caused the explosion and if the rocket will be ready.
BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. - Five months after Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire test at Launch Complex 36 in Cape Canaveral, Blue Origin's CEO said the vehicle access tower has been rebuilt and restacked.
Blue Origin's Vehicle Access Tower rebuild after explosion
What they're saying:
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp shared a time-lapse video on Saturday of Launch Complex 36's Vehicle Access Tower being assembled.
"The Vehicle Access Tower is fully assembled, with every module repaired and back in place. This was a monumental effort. Proud of Team Blue," Limp said in a post on X.
The backstory:
On May 28, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base, sending a massive fireball into the night sky and shaking homes and businesses near the Space Coast.
In August, Blue Origin said a faulty oxygen valve failed, which caused the explosion during its engine hot fire test.
Blue Origin blast sent sound waves more than 1,000 miles, researchers say
New research shows the explosion that destroyed Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral in May generated sound waves that traveled more than 1,000 miles, reaching sensors in Texas.
Blue Origin's connection to Artemis missions
Why you should care:
NASA is relying on Blue Origin to help return American astronauts to the moon. More than 100 federal agency teams are directly collaborating with the aerospace company to support launch readiness before the calendar year concludes.
"I see that team fighting for every single day figuring out how to shave hours off," said Jeremy Parsons, manager of the NASA Artemis Program. "We have over 100 NASA teams engaged throughout return to flight."
When will Blue Glenn be ready to test again?
What we don't know:
Officials have not yet released a target launch date to conduct follow-up tests on the rocket. Blue Origin has said it wants to return to flight before the end of 2026.
Space analysts note the private firm has disclosed very little information regarding root causes or technical repairs to the vehicle itself.
"We have heard basically nothing from Blue Origin about the status of the rocket," Kremer said. "We don't know the status of any fixes they’ve made on either the first or second stage."
Expanding Cape launch operations
What's next:
Blue Origin turned the setback into an opportunity to expand its presence across the Space Coast by starting development on a second site. Workers are pouring concrete and setting foundational structures at Launch Complex 36B to support the heavy-lift New Glenn rocket.
"That’s where the major construction is going on of the new pad," Kremer said.
The Source: The information in this story was gathered from FOX 35 Reporter Esther Bower in Brevard County. She watched a media briefing with NASA Artemis Program manager Jeremy Parsons and conducted an interview with Space UpClose managing editor Ken Kremer. She also reviewed social media video updates released by Blue Origin's chief executive officer.