Blue Origin launch pad repairs could take 'serious time', NASA chief tells CNBC

Extensive repairs are needed for the Blue Origin launch pad damaged during the recent explosion of its New Glenn rocket, according to NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

Isaacman told CNBC that the damage sustained during the rocket's engine test firing last week will "take some serious time" to fix. He suggested that a completion date in 2028 is a realistic possibility. The powerful two-stage rocket erupted in a massive fireball while secured to the launch tower during a routine static "hot-fire" test, intended to prepare for its first orbital flight scheduled for January 2025.

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take some serious time

The incident occurred at a critical juncture for Blue Origin, owned by billionaire Jeff Bezos, as it aims to compete more directly with SpaceX in the private space launch market. Sources indicate the launch pad was "practically destroyed" and could be out of commission for at least six months. Fortunately, the accident at the U.S. Space Force facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida, resulted in no injuries. Additionally, no Amazon Leo satellites were integrated into the rocket's payload at the time of the explosion. The New Glenn rocket is slated to play a key role in NASA's Artemis moon missions, including delivering lunar landers and cargo.

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within the realm