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Blue Origin CEO says faulty valve caused massive explosion in Florida
WESH • • technology
Key Points:
- Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp identified a faulty main oxygen valve on one of the BE-4 engines as the cause of the New Glenn rocket explosion during a May static fire test at Cape Canaveral.
- The explosion occurred at Space Launch Complex 36 shortly after the rocket was moved to the pad, with no injuries reported.
- Limp stated that updated hardware will be manufactured by the end of June, aiming to resolve the issue and move forward.
- Blue Origin has partnered with NASA to conduct further testing of New Glenn’s upper stage in Mississippi, targeting a return to flight by the end of the year.
- The New Glenn rocket features seven BE-4 engines on its reusable first stage and two BE-3U engines on its second stage, all American-made and designed for high performance and multiple reuses.
