Blue Origin targets December for New Glenn rocket test launch

20:30

By: Azzat Manal

Blue Origin targets December for New Glenn rocket test launch

Blue Origin plans to resume testing its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket in December, according to company founder Jeff Bezos. Speaking to Fox News, Bezos said the team had made significant progress in restoring the launch infrastructure following an incident earlier this year, expressing confidence in its efforts to prepare the vehicle for another launch attempt.

The setback occurred in late May at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, where the rocket reportedly suffered a major failure during testing on the launch pad. Blue Origin subsequently acknowledged a technical problem in a statement posted on X, confirming that no employees were injured in the incident.

In August, Blue Origin Chief Executive Officer Dave Limp said investigators had traced the failure to a malfunction involving the main oxygen valve in one of the BE-4 engines used in the rocket’s first stage. The company reportedly reached this conclusion after recovering and examining equipment associated with the incident. Blue Origin also indicated that it would make limited design adjustments to the valves in an effort to prevent a similar failure in future tests.

The incident damaged parts of the launch infrastructure, requiring repair work before testing could resume. Bezos credited the company’s team for its efforts to restore the facilities and prepare them for renewed operations. The planned December launch represents a significant step in the programme’s recovery, although the schedule remains dependent on technical readiness and the completion of necessary preparations.

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman has also commented on the failure, suggesting that the rocket’s engines may have played a role. He praised Blue Origin’s work to repair the damaged launch pad and said NASA would support the company as it investigates the incident and addresses its underlying cause.

New Glenn is designed to carry large payloads into orbit and support a range of commercial and government space missions. Its development is part of Blue Origin’s broader effort to expand access to space and compete in the heavy-lift launch market. A successful return to testing would help the company move past the recent setback and continue advancing the rocket’s operational capabilities.