Blue Origin Targets 2026 New Glenn Return, Rebuilding LC-36A After May 28 Blast
Updated
Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 2
Blue Origin Targets 2026 New Glenn Return, Rebuilding LC-36A After May 28 Blast
3 articles · Updated · Ars Technica · Jun 2
Blue Origin said it will fly New Glenn again before the end of 2026, with CEO Dave Limp outlining a rapid rebuild of the damaged LC-36A launch site in Florida.
Preliminary surveys found the propellant farm, oxygen, liquid hydrogen and LNG tanks, and the water tower intact—preserving long-lead equipment and supporting the accelerated timeline.
The company will keep focusing on the 7x2 New Glenn configuration at LC-36A rather than shift to a larger neighboring pad for the 9x4 variant.
The transporter-erector destroyed in the May 28 failure will not be replaced; Blue Origin said it will move directly to an alternative vertical concept already under development.
That roughly six-month push suggests Blue Origin wants to restore New Glenn quickly and reduce pressure to launch its Blue Moon lander on rival SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.