Jeff Bezos was making progress with his Blue Origin company, challenging Elon Musk’s SpaceX and Starlink. The explosion of the New Glenn rocket on its launchpad, however, marks a significant obstacle.
For years, Blue Origin operated in the shadows, while SpaceX flourished. Recently, Blue Origin seemed to be catching up, especially with plans for its New Glenn rocket. This rocket was poised to offer the space industry increased capacity to transport satellites and other equipment to space.
Earlier in the week, NASA showcased its confidence in New Glenn by introducing a larger role for the rocket in its Artemis moon program. Amazon also had a set of 48 satellites prepared for launch, intending to rival SpaceX’s Starlink internet service.
The setback occurred around 9 p.m. Thursday when New Glenn exploded during a test on the launchpad.
This is a significant setback for Blue Origin and its partners, said Chad Anderson, a venture capitalist at Space Capital.
The setback will affect Blue Origin’s plans and those of Amazon and NASA. Conversely, SpaceX is moving close to a much-discussed public offering that could value the company over $1.25 trillion.
The explosion, though planned as a routine test, heavily damaged the launchpad. Major structures, including one massive steel tower, were either destroyed or severely damaged. Concerns also arise around the state of hydraulics and fueling systems beneath the concrete pad.
Rare Dinosaur Fossil Discovery in Antarctica 
The History and Impact of U.S. Science Funding: Lessons from Lewis and Clark 
NASA’s Bold Mission to Save the Aging Swift Telescope 
Firefighters Killed in Utah-Colorado Border Wildfire 
NASA Rescues Aging Swift Observatory with Innovative Mission 
The Historical Insights of Tree Rings