Blue Origin Insists New Glenn Will Return to Flight This Year After Explosion Destroyed Launchpad
Summary: Blue Origin stated on June 29, 2026 that New Glenn will return to flight this year, after the May 28 static fire explosion destroyed Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. NASA has set Artemis III for 2027.
On May 28, 2026, a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a static fire test at Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. The vehicle was completely destroyed and the launchpad was described by Reuters, citing a person familiar with the situation, as "practically destroyed." The explosion occurred just six days after the FAA cleared Blue Origin to resume flights on May 22, following the implementation of nine corrective measures.
Blue Origin has since cleared debris from the pad. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman stated on June 1 that restoration of LC-36 may not be completed until 2028. Reuters reported that engineers expect a disruption of at least six months, if not longer. The incident also forced NASA to push its crewed lunar landing mission, Artemis III, to 2027.
Despite external assessments projecting a recovery timeline well beyond six months, Blue Origin has maintained its year-end return-to-flight target. The company publicly reaffirmed on June 13 that it would fly again before the end of 2026, and its June 29 statement continues to hold that position. However, Blue Origin has not yet disclosed specifics on its return-to-flight window, alternative launch arrangements, or the production status of the second New Glenn flight vehicle.