NASA says Blue Origin launch pad repairs may last until 2028

NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman told CNBC that repairs to the Blue Origin launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, will take much longer than initially projected, with a timeline that could extend to 2028. The pad was severely damaged when the two‑stage New Glenn rocket exploded during a static‑fire test last week.

No injuries were reported, and none of Blue Origin’s Leo satellites were attached to the vehicle at the time. The New Glenn, named after astronaut John Glenn, is slated for its fourth orbital flight in January 2025 and is expected to play a key role in NASA’s Artemis lunar missions. Engineers had first estimated at least six months for repairs, but the extent of the damage has pushed the schedule back by several years.

The delayed repairs affect Blue Origin’s satellite‑launch schedule and its competition with SpaceX, but the broader U.S. space program continues to operate.