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Blue Origin Clears LC‑36 Debris and Begins Pad Reconstruction

Ongoing investigations into the May 28 test explosion raise doubts about the timeline for New Glenn’s return, potentially affecting NASA launch plans.

Overview

  • A New Glenn booster segment exploded during a ground test on May 28 with no injuries reported and all personnel accounted for.
  • Blue Origin says teams finished wreckage recovery in nine days, released time‑lapse video of the cleanup, and has started reconstruction work at Launch Complex 36.
  • Company leaders publicly target a New Glenn flight before the end of 2026 but have not announced a firm launch date or a verified return‑to‑flight plan.
  • Multiagency investigators are still examining damaged hardware and debris to determine the cause, and experts say that finding and fixing root problems could take many months to more than a year.
  • LC‑36 is Blue Origin’s only U.S. pad for New Glenn, which leaves the program and NASA missions that might rely on the rocket vulnerable to single‑site damage and schedule uncertainty.