Following a catastrophic rocket explosion that destroyed its launchpad in May, Blue Origin has said it will build a more advanced facility in its place that could support launches by the end of the year.
On 28 May, a New Glenn rocket made by the Jeff Bezos-founded firm exploded on the pad while undergoing a series of hotfire tests. It was preparing to deploy 48 Amazon LEO internet satellites into low-Earth orbit the following week.
Initial reports showed that severe damage was inflicted on Launch Complex 36, which is Blue Origin’s only operational New Glenn pad. The blast completely destroyed the transporter-erector, which is the gantry used to move and lift the rocket.
While Blue Origin is continuing “to actively investigate the cause of the anomaly”, it said it had enough data to identify and correct the root cause to prevent a repeat of the incident.
But instead of rebuilding the launch pad as it was, the firm will move straight to building a more advanced version designed to be compatible...