Blue Origin to resume flights earlier than expected

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket blew up while having a static ground-based engine test back in May. The explosion was devastating, destroying the rocket and the launch pad and its associated technology. The industry had not expected a return to flight before the end of December or even January 2027. The rocket company, backed by billionaire Jeff Bezos – now says it will launch a rocket in November.

According to a report in Aviation Week, Blue Origin has completed reconstruction of its 430-foot Vehicle Access Tower at Launch Complex 36,and achieved a major milestone toward resuming launches.

The May explosion occurred during a preflight engine test, destroying the rocket and damaging critical ground infrastructure. Blue Origin subsequently traced the failure to an oxygen-valve issue in one of its BE-4 engines.

Blue Origin is still officially targeting a return to flight before the end of 2026, although no launch date has been confirmed.

However, an early launch will be music to the ears of the likes of NASA (for its much-needed ARTEMIS lunar launch) and AST SpaceMobile which has a number of New Glenn launches booked.

Tags: AST SpaceMobile, Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos, New Glenn

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