For years, Blue Origin, the rocket company founded by Jeff Bezos, operated largely in secrecy. It remained overshadowed by the achievements of Elon Musk’s SpaceX. Recently, Blue Origin was gaining traction, moving closer to the consistent launching of its large rocket, New Glenn. This rocket is crucial for boosting the space industry’s capability to send satellites and other equipment into orbit.
Just this week, NASA expressed confidence in New Glenn by granting it a larger role in the Artemis moon mission. Meanwhile, Amazon had prepared 48 satellites to launch, intensifying its competition with SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.
However, on Thursday night, New Glenn exploded on its launchpad during a test. Chad Anderson, an investor with Space Capital, described the incident as a significant setback.
This explosion creates delays for Blue Origin and its partners, including NASA and Amazon. Simultaneously, SpaceX is approaching an anticipated initial public offering, potentially valuing the company at over $1.25 trillion.
If the rocket had failed in flight, it might have been seen as a routine issue. However, the explosion caused severe damage to the launchpad. A steel tower appears destroyed, and concerns arise about the hydraulics and fueling systems beneath the pad.
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