Blue Origin still investigating cause of New Glenn rocket explosion

Blue Origin is currently working to “identify and correct the root cause” of the New Glenn rocket explosion that occurred during testing on May 28. The company still does not know the cause of the incident, which occurred as the rocket was preparing to fly for the fourth time. However, CEO Dave Limp stated that early analysis points to the aft section of the first stage—the initial section of a multi-stage rocket. Limp noted that the company is reviewing extensive data from multiple camera angles and sensors to determine what went wrong. Nobody was hurt in the explosion, but the rocket blew up, causing damage to the launch site. The incident occurred after the company spent more than a decade slowly and deliberately developing the New Glenn rocket, which had its first launch in January 2025.

To accelerate its return to flight, Blue Origin plans to use a crane to stand the rocket up at its launchpad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, instead of a transporter-erector—the equipment used to move and stand up the rocket. Limp shared details about how this change will alter the launch complex, explaining that doing away with the transporter-erector in favor of a massive crane will allow the company to return to flight sooner than expected. This approach is also intended to help the company recover and increase its flight cadence. Before the explosion, Blue Origin was planning as many as 12 launches this year. Limp noted that the company caught many breaks and intends to make the most of them as it works to restore operations. He also praised the company’s employees for making quick progress on rebuilding the launchpad, which is currently the company’s only launchpad capable of supporting the massive rocket.

The company faces significant pressure to resume operations, as it is a central partner in NASA’s mission to return humans to the moon before President Donald Trump leaves office. Blue Origin must successfully rebuild its damaged launch infrastructure in Cape Canaveral to meet these commitments.

Why it matters

Blue Origin is a central player in NASA’s push to return humans to the moon, and the company must resolve the cause of the New Glenn rocket explosion and rebuild its launchpad to return to flight.