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Blue Origin Blew Up Its Launch Pad, So NASA Will Invite Its Rockets Over For Testing
Jalopnik • • science
Key Points:
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket launchpad was destroyed in a failed launch, posing a significant setback since it was the only pad capable of accommodating the rocket.
- NASA is assisting Blue Origin by retrofitting its B-2 testing pad at Stennis Space Center to test the New Glenn's upper stage, marking the first time a private rocket will use this historic government-owned site.
- The Stennis Space Center has a legacy of testing major NASA rockets, including the Saturn V, Space Shuttle, and Space Launch System, highlighting NASA's move toward collaboration with commercial space companies.
- Blue Origin is a key player in NASA's Artemis program, with its Blue Moon lander potentially transporting materials and astronauts to the Moon, competing with SpaceX's Starship for lunar missions.
- Despite the setback, Blue Origin is rebuilding its launchpad and aims to resume New Glenn flights by the end of the year, with testing of the upper stage conducted at Stennis to keep the program on track.
