Blue Origin's CEO Dave Limp posted on X that New Glenn will return to flight before year‑end, contradicting NASA administrator Jared Isaacman's estimate that repairs could stretch to 2028. The claim follows a May 28 explosion at Launch Complex 36 during a hot‑fire test, which destroyed the support tower but left the rocket’s propellant tanks intact. The blast halted the fourth launch carrying 48 Amazon LEO satellites.

Isaacman toured the damaged pad on May 29, noting the extensive damage to the integration facility and support structures. Blue Origin has regained access, confirming the oxygen, liquid‑hydrogen and LNG storage tanks remain functional—critical, long‑lead components for New Glenn’s heavy‑lift missions. Limp says the tower can be repaired in place, avoiding a full rebuild, and the tanks are still in good shape.

New Glenn is slated for NASA’s Artemis and Moon Base contracts, with a Moon Base I launch planned this fall. A delayed return would jeopardize those missions and Amazon’s planned LEO broadband satellite deployment. While Blue Origin negotiates a new pad at Vandenberg’s SLC‑14, that site won’t be operational until around 2028, leaving LC‑36 as the only viable launch point this year.