Key facts
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot-fire test on May 28, 2026.
- The explosion was caused by an issue with the main oxygen valve on a BE-4 engine.
- Significant damage occurred to Blue Origin's launch site, LC-36A, at Cape Canaveral.
- Blue Origin is modifying the BE-4 engine valve and aims for a return to flight by year-end.
- The company is also working on rebuilding launch infrastructure and developing new launch sites.
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket suffered a catastrophic loss during a hot-fire test on May 28, 2026, with CEO Dave Limp confirming the anomaly originated at the main oxygen valve of a BE-4 engine. This incident caused significant damage to the company's Launch Complex 36-A at Cape Canaveral, Florida. Blue Origin is implementing modifications to the affected valve and anticipates having updated hardware ready by the end of the current month. The company is concurrently conducting further analysis to pinpoint the root cause and aims to resume flights of the heavy-lift rocket before the close of the year. Rebuilding or completing new launch infrastructure is estimated to take at least 15 months, with Blue Origin reportedly operating with urgency and significant financial backing from owner Jeff Bezos.