Blue Origin vows to fly its New Glenn rocket “before the end of this year”

In a bold statement following a recent setback, Blue Origin's CEO, Dave Limp, has assured that the company aims to launch its New Glenn rocket again before the close of 2026. This announcement comes just days after the rocket suffered a dramatic explosion at its Florida launch site. Limp took to social media platform X to share an update on the progress at the LC-36A launch site. He reported that a preliminary inspection had been completed successfully. "Now that we’ve had access to the pad and integration facility, we can share some positive news," he stated. The essential components, including the propellant farm and tanks for oxygen, liquid hydrogen, and LNG, are reportedly in good condition, which is crucial as these items typically have long lead times. Additionally, Limp confirmed plans to reconstruct the LC-36A site specifically for the 7×2 variant of the New Glenn rocket. There had been discussions about possibly developing a larger launch pad, LC-36B, which would accommodate the more powerful 9×4 variant. However, the focus appears to remain on the existing site. Limp also addressed the damage sustained by the massive transporter-erector, which is responsible for moving the New Glenn rocket from its integration hangar to the launch pad. The device was irreparably damaged during the recent test failure. He mentioned that the company had already been exploring alternatives to the transporter-erector and would expedite the transition to a new vertical concept, eliminating the need for a replacement. This update seeks to clarify Blue Origin's trajectory after the recent failure, signaling the company's determination to bounce back swiftly with the 7×2 variant, which has shown strong performance in the past. With a target timeline of approximately six months, this aggressive approach may also hint at Blue Origin's intention to shift discussions away from launching its Blue Moon lander using SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket.