New Glenn Rocket Explodes During Engine Test, NASA Moon Mission Could Be Disrupted

Illustration of the New Glenn 9x4 rocket (photo: dok. Blue Origin)

JAKARTA - The New Glenn rocket explosion owned by Blue Origin has started to have a long tail. The launch pad that was damaged in the engine test fire could only be recovered in 2028, said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

As reported by Xinhua, Tuesday, June 2, the explosion occurred at around 21:00 US time on Thursday at Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The location is the only operational runway that can currently support the launch of the New Glenn rocket.

New Glenn is a large rocket owned by Blue Origin, a space company founded by Jeff Bezos. This rocket is prepared to carry heavy loads into orbit and is an important part of Blue Origin's ambitions to compete in the space launch industry.

In an interview with CNBC, Isaacman said the target for recovery in 2028 was still possible.

"We certainly want to see Blue Origin be very successful," Isaacman said.

He said the recovery of the runway, technical expertise assistance, and analysis of the root of the problem were important steps after the explosion.

"Let's find out what is broken, then we have to keep moving forward," he said.

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said via the X platform that the company had regained limited access to Launch Complex 36. Blue Origin is also investigating an anomaly that occurred during the engine firing test.

The hot-fire test is a test of the rocket engine on the ground before launch. The engine is turned on to check the performance, pressure, and support systems without flying the rocket.

"We will immediately start cleaning up the launch pad and already have a good reconstruction plan," Limp said.

This explosion has the potential to delay the next New Glenn mission. The impact could also ripple into the schedule of several NASA lunar exploration missions.

Blue Origin is one of NASA's key commercial partners in the Artemis program, the United States' project to return humans to the Moon and establish a long-term foothold there.