Spaceflight Now reports, “Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp, in an overnight post on the social media platform X, said propellant tanks at launch pad 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station made it through the blast in good shape, as did a nearby processing hangar. The main support gantry, while damaged, can be repaired in place.”
Full Story (Spaceflight Now)
Tag: Astronautics
Recognize an Emerging Aerospace Leader
FROM THE INSTITUTE
AIAA’s new 30/30 Program honors 30 exceptional early-career aerospace professionals in their 30s who are redefining what’s possible. Honorees will represent the best and brightest from across the aerospace sector. Nominations are open through 15 June 2026.
Isaacman Says Blue Origin Launch Complex May Not Return to Service Until 2028
CNBC reports, “NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman on Monday told CNBC that it will ‘take some serious time’ to restore the launchpad damaged last week by a Blue Origin rocket explosion. Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin was conducting a hot-fire test of its massive New Glenn rocket on Thursday at a Space Force launch facility in Cape Canaveral, Florida, when the rocket erupted into a fireball. Bezos confirmed that all Blue Origin personnel were safe following the incident, and pledged to rebuild, while calling it a ‘very rough day.'”
Full Story (CNBC)
AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 Looks Toward the Future of Aviation
FROM THE INSTITUTE
The AIAA AVIATION Forum 2026 will open on 8 June, in San Diego, with five days spanning commercial aviation, defense, academia, and emerging technology. More than 300 speakers will appear throughout the forum, drawn from leading aviation companies, defense and civil government agencies, and top research universities around the world. One of the key differentiators of AIAA events is the deep technical content, with more than 800 technical papers to be presented throughout the week.
Regional Rivalries, National Imperative: State Governments Pick Up the Pace in Space Race
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A growing number of states are taking proactive steps to marshal their public and private sectors and academia to grow the commercial space industry, offering…
India’s Space Ambitions Take Center Stage at ASCEND as ISRO Wins AIAA’s Highest Honor
FROM THE INSTITUTE
At ASCEND in May, AIAA saluted India’s space agency, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), with its highest honor, the Goddard Astronautics Award…
Blue Origin Investigates New Glenn Explosion as Mission Delays Loom
Via Satellite reports, “Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket faces a major setback after an explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on Thursday evening. This explosion will likely impact timelines for the rocket’s customers Amazon Leo, AST SpaceMobile, NASA, and its national security certification for the U.S. Space Force.”
Full Story (Via Satellite)
Building a Lunar Digital Engineering Community with LUNAverse
FROM THE INSTITUTE
Simulating activity on the lunar surface is essential as the United States pursues its plan to return to the moon to stay. But it’s not just craters and…
New Glenn Rocket Destroyed in Fiery Prelaunch Test at Cape Canaveral
The New York Times reports a Blue Origin rocket exploded during a ground test at a Florida launch facility Thursday evening. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. as the company was conducting prelaunch testing ahead of a future mission.
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
How to Accelerate the Space Industrial Base – And What Adversaries Can Teach Us
FROM THE INSTITUTE
A lively panel of leaders in the space industry took on the question of how the United States can keep its edge in space with competitors nipping at our heels. In fact, argued one panelist provocatively, we might actually want to take a few notes from adversaries.