Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin appeared to be making progress against Elon Musk’s SpaceX. However, a recent rocket explosion has created significant challenges.
The New Glenn rocket, developed by Blue Origin, exploded during a test on its launchpad. This event occurred around 9 p.m. and has been a substantial setback for the company, which had been gaining momentum in recent times.
Previously operating with limited publicity, Blue Origin had begun moving towards regular launches. The New Glenn rocket was poised to add substantial capacity to the space industry, intended to lift satellites and equipment into orbit.
Earlier this week, NASA endorsed the New Glenn by expanding its role in the Artemis return-to-the-moon program. Amazon also had 48 satellites ready for launch as they sought to compete with SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.
“This is a big, collective gasp and setback,” said Chad Anderson, a start-up investor at Space Capital.
The explosion creates delays impacting Blue Origin’s operations and its partners, notably Amazon and NASA. The incident coincides with SpaceX gearing up for an anticipated public offering, potentially valuing the company over $1.25 trillion.
While a mid-air explosion might have been less damaging, the blast on the ground devastated the launchpad. Significant structural damage includes the destruction of at least one steel tower. There are concerns regarding the condition of the hydraulics and fueling systems beneath the pad.