(Cape Canaveral, FL) – The explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on its only Cape Canaveral Launch pad could deal a major blow to NASA’s Artemis and Moon Base programs.
Blue Origin’s launch of NASA’s Blue Moon lander atop New Glenn was scheduled for later this year.
Blue Origin entered into a $188 million Space Act Agreement with NASA to design Blue Moon’s family of lunar landers to carry humans and cargo to the Moon as part of NASA’s Artemis Moon Base Initiative. According to NASA, Blue Origin’s performance during the initial contract phase
However, the May 28th blast destroyed the rocket and caused structural damage to Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman saying repairs could take up two years, however the CEO of Blue Origin is sounding more optimistic that flights could resume before the end of the year.
NASA says it will exercise its option period based on Blue Origin’s performance during the initial contract phase.