Blue Origin to Proceed with New Glenn Rocket Using Novel Approach

Los Angeles (ANTARA) - The American private aerospace company, Blue Origin, has stated that it will adopt a hybrid horizontal-vertical launch concept for its New Glenn heavy-lift rocket as part of its efforts to resume flights by the end of this year.

Blue Origin CEO, Dave Limp, stated on the social media platform X that the company will not rebuild Launch Complex 36 in Florida, USA, to its previous configuration following a major anomaly during a New Glenn engine hot-fire test on 28 May. The New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad during the hot-fire test at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

Limp noted that the investigation into the anomaly is still ongoing, with preliminary analysis pointing towards the rear section of the rocket’s first stage. He added that to return New Glenn to flight this year, Blue Origin will not rebuild the same launch pad but will instead transition to a hybrid horizontal-vertical configuration, a new concept that offers the additional benefit of increased launch frequency.

Blue Origin is a key commercial partner in NASA’s Artemis Moon programme. According to several media reports, the explosion during the May test could delay future New Glenn missions and potentially impact the schedules of several NASA missions involved in lunar exploration.