Blue Origin has traced the explosion of its New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral to a main oxygen valve in a first stage engine. The accident destroyed the rocket and caused severe damage to the company launch pad during a static fire test on May 28.
The explosion occurred shortly after the test began at Launch Complex 36 around 9 p.m. Eastern Time, or 0100 UTC on May 29, as all seven BE-4 engines were ignited while the rocket remained secured to the platform. Video recorded by Spaceflight Now captured the blast that destroyed the vehicle ahead of what was planned as the fourth New Glenn flight.
Blue Origin Chief Executive Officer Dave Limp confirmed the location of the failure this week, Ars Technica reported. Limp explained that recovery and physical inspection of components confirmed the anomaly originated in the main oxygen valve of one BE-4 engine.
Investigation and engine modifications
Engineers at Blue Origin have conducted tests on individual components and completed new engine firings to analyze the breakdown. The company has not determined the exact cause of the valve failure, and the root cause investigation remains ongoing.
Company officials stated that they already know how to prevent the issue from happening again. Limp explained that engineers are making minor modifications to the valve design that can be installed quickly on existing BE-4 engines. Blue Origin is manufacturing the updated components and expects to have them ready before the end of August.
Launch Complex 36 rebuild
The explosion resulted in the total loss of the New Glenn rocket and heavily damaged Launch Complex 36-A at Cape Canaveral. The facility is currently the only launch pad Blue Origin has available to launch its heavy rocket, forcing the company to work against the clock on repairs.
The blast destroyed one of the lightning towers and the large transport and erecting system used to move the rocket into a vertical position. Other critical infrastructure, including the propellant storage tanks and the integration building, survived the explosion in better condition.
Flight plans and Artemis program
Blue Origin maintains its target of launching the New Glenn rocket before the end of 2026. Founder Jeff Bezos wants to return the vehicle to flight quickly, as it forms a central part of the company plans and holds a key role in NASA Artemis lunar program.
The upcoming mission is scheduled to carry Blue Ring, a spacecraft developed by Blue Origin to transport and host payloads in orbit. Construction of the Blue Ring spacecraft is nearing completion for a planned flight this year.
To meet the launch deadline, Blue Origin must resolve two major challenges at once. The company needs to conclude the BE-4 engine investigation while simultaneously completing the accelerated reconstruction of its launch facility.
