NASA chief praises progress Blue Origin is making after launch failure
Summary
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman praised Blue Origin for the progress it is making to fix its launch site after a rocket explosion in May. Blue Origin aims to restart launches of its New Glenn rocket by the end of this year, which NASA needs for future Moon missions, but NASA is also considering backup plans using other rockets.Key Facts
- Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket had a test explosion on May 28 that damaged its only launch pad.
- NASA and the US Space Force are involved in the cleanup and recovery efforts.
- Blue Origin plans to rebuild Launch Complex 36A but will not reconstruct the transporter-erector due to time concerns.
- The company hopes to launch the Mk. 1 lunar lander mission, called Endurance, later this year using New Glenn.
- NASA is counting on Blue Origin’s landers and New Glenn rocket for cargo and crew missions to the Moon under the Artemis program.
- NASA is also studying other rockets like SpaceX’s Falcon Heavy and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan as backup options.
- Blue Origin’s CEO Dave Limp said the company is analyzing anomaly data and targeting a return-to-flight before the end of this year.
- NASA has time until around 2027 before the Artemis III mission would be significantly affected by delays.
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