NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman revealed Monday that fixing the damaged Blue Origin launch facility following last week’s massive rocket explosion could require years of work, potentially stretching repairs until 2028.
Speaking during an interview at CNBC’s CEO Council Summit, Isaacman indicated that restoring the launch pad would “take some serious time,” with a 2028 completion date falling “within the realm” of possibility, according to the network’s coverage.
The catastrophic incident occurred Thursday when Blue Origin’s massive New Glenn rocket burst into flames during what should have been a standard engine test while secured to the launch structure. The rocket was being prepared for its fourth orbital mission since January 2025 through a routine static “hot-fire” examination.
The timing of this setback poses significant challenges for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket program and Amazon satellite operations, as the company works to establish stronger competition against Elon Musk’s SpaceX, currently the dominant private space launch provider globally.
Sources within the company and industry reported over the weekend that the blast left the launch facility “practically destroyed,” with engineering assessments suggesting repairs will halt operations for a minimum of six months.
The accident at the U.S. Space Force facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida resulted in no personnel injuries. Additionally, the Amazon Leo satellites intended for the rocket’s payload had not yet been installed when the explosion occurred.
The New Glenn rocket, which honors late astronaut John Glenn, the first American to achieve Earth orbit, serves as a key component in NASA’s Artemis lunar program for transporting moon landers and supplies.
