Blue Source disclosed that the underlying causes of the test explosion of the New Glenn rocket had still not been identified, but that the company was continuing to advance its reflight preparations and was planning to launch the heavy rocket again this year.

CEO Dave Limp wrote on the corporate web that the team was still identifying and correcting the cause of the accident. The preliminary analysis pointed the range to the end of the first rocket, and the company was in the process of retrieving data from multiple camera angles and sensors and continuing to trace the source of the malfunction.

The explosion occurred in the fourth flight preparation phase.

New Glenn was a heavy launch vehicle that had been developed for years in the blue origin and was first launched in January 2025. On 28 May this year, the rocket exploded during a test for the fourth flight, with no casualties.

After the first flight, the blue origin accelerated the pace of New Glenn. After the explosion, the progress of the investigation and the rate of rehabilitation of the ground facilities became two key factors in determining when they resumed launch.

Damage to Cape Canaveral launch facility

In addition to the identification of the cause of the accident, the blue origin requires the rehabilitation of the launch site at Cape Canaveral, Florida. This is the only launch pad that the company is currently able to support for the New Glenn launch, so that the recovery of terrestrial systems will have a direct impact on the return time.

According to Limp, the explosion caused the destruction of a detachment and the loss of transport lifting equipment for the transport of rockets to and from the launch pad, as well as of nearby buildings. He indicated, however, that some critical facilities remained intact on the site.

  • The water tower on the ground is not seriously affected.
  • Gas tanks are in good condition.
  • It's still operational.

This year's launch plan is being adjusted.

One of the reasons why the Blue Origin wants to resume the New Glenn launch as soon as possible is that the company has become one of the major contractors for NASA's return to the Moon. The fact that the United States Government is pushing for another rollover to the moon before the end of the current term of office in Trump has also brought New Glenn's progress to the fore.

According to Limp, if the repairs and investigations proceed well, New Glenn is not only expected to resume the launch earlier than anticipated, but may also increase the frequency of subsequent launches. Before the explosion, the Blue Origin had planned up to 12 New Glenn launches this year.