Blue Origin announced that last week’s rocket explosion did not damage the fuel tanks or other critical parts of the launch site. The event involved the New Glenn rocket, essential for NASA’s Artemis lunar program, which exploded during an engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The explosion destroyed a lightning tower and the transporter-erector, essential for moving and positioning the rocket. However, Dave Limp, the CEO, confirmed that the methane, hydrogen, and oxygen tanks remain intact. The water tank is also undamaged, and the support tower can be repaired on-site. A booster and other nearby rocket parts were unharmed. Limp shared, “This is somewhat good news,” and promised, “We will fly again before the year ends.” The cause of the blast is still being investigated.
NASA had awarded a substantial contract to Jeff Bezos’s Blue Origin just two days before the mishap. The contract involves using New Glenn rockets to deploy lunar rovers ahead of the Artemis program’s lunar missions. New Glenn is also vital for the Blue Moon lander, which will carry astronauts to the moon in the coming years.
NASA targets 2028 for the first astronaut moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. “We will do everything possible to restore operations while advancing the lander,” stated NASA’s administrator, Jared Isaacman. The New Glenn rocket, named after John Glenn, has been launched three times. It is not as large as SpaceX’s Starship, which continues testing at the edge of space from Texas. NASA plans to use both Starship and Blue Moon landers to transport Artemis astronauts to the lunar surface soon.
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