Blue Origin Traces New Glenn Explosion to Engine Valve

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp announced that the May 28 explosion of a New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station resulted from a malfunctioning main oxygen valve on one of the BE-4 engines. The incident occurred during a routine engine hotfire test, destroying the rocket and critical infrastructure at Launch Complex 36, including the transporter erector.

The blast registered 2.5 on the Richter scale and damaged several nearby buildings. Following hardware recovery and inspections, the company identified the specific failure mode and is now retrofitting existing engines with modified valves. To accelerate the return-to-flight timeline, Blue Origin is reconstructing the launch pad and shifting to a crane-based rocket placement system.

The recovery of the New Glenn rocket is critical for NASA's Artemis program, as the vehicle is designated to transport the Blue Moon lander to the lunar surface. The first stage is currently being refurbished at the company's rocket factory on Merritt Island.