انفجار الصاروخ الجديد غلن يهدد مبيعات ناسا "أرتيسمس" إلى القمر

9 p.m. EDT marked the moment New Glenn’s seven engines ignited during a static‑fire test, only to erupt into a 322‑foot‑tall fireball that obliterated Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. Video footage shows the engines firing, flames licking the rocket’s exterior, then a bright explosion that destroyed the vehicle and its pad.

Static‑Fire Catastrophe

The blast destroyed Blue Origin’s sole New Glenn launchpad, a critical asset for the company’s orbital program. Repairs are expected to take months, delaying the rocket’s first orbital flight and its scheduled 48‑satellite launch for Amazon’s Leo constellation.

Implications for Artemis and NASA

Blue Origin had pledged to deliver the Blue Moon Mark 2 lander and lunar terrain vehicles for NASA’s Artemis III and IV missions, with crewed landings slated for 2028. The loss of the launchpad and the rocket’s first flight jeopardizes the company’s ability to meet those deadlines. NASA administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency would investigate the anomaly and assess impacts on Artemis, while the Space Force confirmed other launch complexes remain operational.

Broader Impact on U.S. Lunar Race

SpaceX continues Starship V3 tests, but still must prove in‑space refueling for lunar missions. Blue Origin’s failure shifts the balance in the U.S. lunar race against China, which aims to send astronauts to the moon by 2030. The incident underscores the fragility of commercial launch infrastructure and the high stakes of the Artemis partnership.

Debris from the blast may wash ashore; Blue Origin warned the public to avoid contact and report findings. The explosion also threatens the launch of 48 Amazon Leo satellites, an emerging competitor to SpaceX’s Starlink. As the U.S. race to the moon accelerates, any delay in commercial launch capability could ripple through NASA’s schedule and the broader space economy.

The incident serves as a stark reminder that even routine ground tests can expose critical vulnerabilities. Blue Origin’s swift response—promising to rebuild and resume flights—will be tested as the company works to restore its launchpad and regain its role in NASA’s lunar ambitions.

Source: Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket explodes in massive fireball, imperiling NASA moon missions
Domain: scientificamerican.com