{"id":23509,"date":"2026-06-02T21:55:19","date_gmt":"2026-06-02T13:55:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/blue-origin-initiates-lc-36-recovery-targets-rtf-by-end-of-2026\/"},"modified":"2026-07-21T10:57:55","modified_gmt":"2026-07-21T02:57:55","slug":"blue-origin-initiates-lc-36-recovery-targets-rtf-by-end-of-2026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/blue-origin-initiates-lc-36-recovery-targets-rtf-by-end-of-2026\/","title":{"rendered":"Blue Origin initiates LC-36 recovery, targets RTF by end of 2026"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Blue Origin has wasted no time launching inspection, repair, and reconstruction activities at Launch Complex-36 following the loss of a New Glenn vehicle during static fire testing last Thursday night. According to company CEO Dave Limp, the company intends to return the pad to flight operations with New Glenn before the end of this year.<\/p>\n<p>While the feasibility of that timeline remains to be seen, initial assessments and aerial imagery captured the morning after the event provide a clearer picture of the damage sustained at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station facility.\n<\/p>\n<p>Extent of Damage to Launch Complex-36<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"Is Blue Origin's Repair Timeline Even Possible?\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ez89Oh-zdi0?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid0\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>The most striking absence is the New Glenn vehicle itself, which was destroyed and scattered into thousands of pieces across the blast danger area.<\/p>\n<p>Among the visible infrastructure, the Lightning Protection Tower and Transporter-Erector (TE) suffered the most severe damage.<\/p>\n<p>The toppled lightning tower, part of the ground systems designed to safeguard the vehicle from strikes, is destined for the scrapyard, as is the TE, also mangled structure, that came to rest atop the ramp leading to the pad and has partially collapsed into the flame trench below, alongside sections of the pad deck.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"The New Glenn Anomaly at LC-36 | The NSF Views\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/r7yNQuNSGBw?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen=\"\" name=\"fitvid1\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Space Technology<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Astronomy<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>Technology News<path d=\"M7.59009 18.59L9.00009 20L17.0001 12L9.00009 4L7.59009 5.41L14.1701 12\" style=\"animation: initial !important; background: initial !important; border: 0px !important; box-shadow: none !important; color: inherit !important; cursor: inherit !important; direction: inherit !important; display: inline !important; fill: currentcolor !important; filter: initial !important; float: none !important; margin: 0px !important; opacity: initial !important; outline: 0px !important; overflow: initial !important; padding: 0px !important; stroke: initial !important; transform: initial !important; vertical-align: initial !important; visibility: inherit !important;\"><\/path>\n<p>     (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});<\/p>\n<p>Farther from the pad, the complex\u2019s iconic Water Tower \u2014 standing at 107 meters tall, nine meters higher than New Glenn itself, it\u2019s the tallest on the Space Coast \u2014 appears largely intact.<\/p>\n<p>Public statements from Dave Limp indicate it remains structurally sound despite surface scorching from the intense propellant fire. A fresh coat of paint would most likely address the cosmetic damage.<\/p>\n<p>The nearby tank farm, which stores Liquid Oxygen (LOX), Liquid Methane (LNG), Liquid Hydrogen (LH2), and Liquid Nitrogen (LN2) for propellant and subcooling operations, fared better than expected.<\/p>\n<p>Tanks farthest from the pad \u2014 four LH2 vessels shielded by a protective wall and five newly installed LN2 tanks \u2014 show no obvious scorching or structural compromise.<\/p>\n<p>The five LOX tanks, positioned closer to the pad, exhibit moderate scorching on their upper sections but remain serviceable. Three LNG tanks show less thermal damage, though one displays a significant dent.<br \/>\n<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone wp-image-113605 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1650\" height=\"925\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650.jpg 1650w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650-350x196.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650-624x350.jpg 624w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650-768x431.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-02-29-01-650-1170x656.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1650px) 100vw, 1650px\">Two recently installed vaporizers associated with the subcooling upgrade were knocked over by the blast wave.<\/p>\n<p>A full tank farm replacement would represent a major schedule risk, but Limp confirmed via X that \u201cThe propellant farm, oxygen, liquid hydrogen and LNG tanks are all in good shape.\u201d<\/p>\n<p><iframe id=\"twitter-widget-1\" scrolling=\"no\" frameborder=\"0\" allowtransparency=\"true\" allowfullscreen=\"true\" class=\"\" style=\"position: static; visibility: visible; width: 0px; height: 0px; display: block; flex-grow: 1;\" title=\"X Post\" src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/embed\/Tweet.html?creatorScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;dnt=true&amp;embedId=twitter-widget-1&amp;features=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%3D%3D&amp;frame=false&amp;hideCard=false&amp;hideThread=false&amp;id=2061655383610114124&amp;lang=en&amp;origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasaspaceflight.com%2F2026%2F06%2Fblue-lc-36-recovery-rtf-end-2026%2F&amp;sessionId=2eae340173ba3b70cc81983fc88d26cba51d462e&amp;siteScreenName=NASASpaceflight&amp;theme=light&amp;widgetsVersion=6a3ad42b224df%3A1778106238597&amp;width=550px\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-14=\"true\" data-gtm-yt-inspected-21=\"true\" data-tweet-id=\"2061655383610114124\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\" data-twitter-extracted-i1783492083824516127=\"true\">\n<p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">Some LC-36 updates. Now that we\u2019ve had access to the pad and integration facility we can share a bit of good news. The propellant farm, oxygen, liquid hydrogen and LNG tanks are all in good shape. This is good luck because these are very long lead items. The water tower is also\u2026<\/p>\n<p>\u2014 Dave Limp (@davill) June 2, 2026<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Inside the Horizontal Integration Facility (HIF), three Glenn Stage 2 (GS2) vehicles and one Glenn Stage 1 (GS1) \u2014 including the flown booster \u201cNever Tell Me The Odds,\u201d which achieved two successful landings \u2014 were present at the time of the incident.<\/p>\n<p>All four stages escaped damage, preserving flight hardware and providing a ready inventory to support future launch cadence once the pad returns to service.<\/p>\n<p>Repair Plans for Key Infrastructure<\/p>\n<p>The largest repair effort centers on the primary support tower. Post-event imagery revealed significant deformation, including a main beam at a lower corner completely severed and internal stair structures heavily mangled.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-113599\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1526\" height=\"849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400.jpg 1526w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-02-400-1170x651.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1526px) 100vw, 1526px\">Initial speculation suggested the tower might need to be demolished and replaced, but Limp stated that Blue Origin plans to conduct on-site repairs rather than construct a new structure \u2014 a decision that could substantially accelerate the recovery timeline.<\/p>\n<p>Operational Changes Driven by the Anomaly<\/p>\n<p>Blue Origin intends to continue flying the current 7\u00d72 configuration of New Glenn while maintaining strong production rates at its manufacturing facilities.<\/p>\n<p>With multiple GS1 and GS2 stages already in work, the company anticipates a potential step-change in launch cadence once LC-36 is restored.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-113598\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1526\" height=\"849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451.jpg 1526w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-22-00-451-1170x651.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1526px) 100vw, 1526px\">The destruction of the Transporter-Erector has accelerated a shift already under study: vertical integration of the 7\u00d72 vehicle directly at the pad, perhaps similar to Starship operations.<\/p>\n<p>This approach eliminates reliance on a heavy TE system and aligns with preparations already underway for the larger 9\u00d74 configuration. Stacking is expected to utilize conventional cranes in the near term, potentially leveraging existing breakover structures or hardware originally intended for the 9\u00d74 pad.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-113600\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1526\" height=\"849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979.jpg 1526w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-23-25-979-1170x651.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1526px) 100vw, 1526px\">The loss of the dedicated lightning protection tower also raises questions about future ground systems. While most Florida pads feature extensive protection, alternatives such as destacking and rolling the vehicle to safety during severe weather, or even repurposing elements of the water tower, are under consideration.<\/p>\n<p>Umbilical interfaces previously serviced by the TE will likely require new swing arms or a multi-umbilical design mounted to the repaired support tower, along with a new launch mount for the booster.<\/p>\n<p>A new Vertical Refurbishment Facility near the Cape Canaveral Skid Strip, previously identified through FAA filings, is expected to support 9\u00d74 operations rather than the current 7\u00d72 vehicles.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-113601\" src=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1526\" height=\"849\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812.jpg 1526w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812-350x195.jpg 350w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812-630x350.jpg 630w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812-768x427.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.nasaspaceflight.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/NSF-2026-06-03-01-24-19-812-1170x651.jpg 1170w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1526px) 100vw, 1526px\">Timeline Feasibility<\/p>\n<p>LC-36 was originally designed with significant over-engineering to support the conceptual New Armstrong vehicle.<\/p>\n<p>With a dedicated 9\u00d74 pad already under construction farther north, Blue Origin may be able to implement a more streamlined repair focused solely on 7\u00d72 requirements. Dave Limp has publicly committed to flying again before the end of the year.<\/p>\n<p>Whether that aggressive schedule can be met will depend on the pace of repairs, integration changes, and regulatory coordination.<\/p>\n<p>Regardless of the outcome, the transparent and timely public updates from Blue Origin mark a notable departure from past practices and suggest a company determined to accelerate its operational tempo.<\/p>\n<p><em>(Lead Image via NSF\u2019s Jerry Pike).<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Blue Origin has wasted no time launching inspection, repair, and reconstruction activities at Launch Complex-36 following the loss of a New Glenn vehicle during static fire testing last Thursday night. According to company CEO Dave Limp, the company intends to return the pad to flight operations with New Glenn before the end of this year. [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":35326,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[509,773,510],"class_list":["post-23509","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news","tag-blue-origin","tag-lc-36","tag-new-glenn"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23509"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=23509"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23509\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":30723,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/23509\/revisions\/30723"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/35326"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=23509"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=23509"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=23509"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}