Blue Origin has pushed back the next launch of its New Glenn rocket into early 2027, as it continues to repair damage to its Cape Canaveral, Florida launch site following a major explosion during testing in May.

The company said in a memo to staff earlier this week that the launch date had been pushed back following a series of delays to reconstructing the launchpad, including poor weather during the summer and recent flash floods. The first reported the memo.

In May, an engine valve in the 98-metre-tall New Glenn rocket failed during testing, causing an explosion that resulted in extensive damage to the launchpad.

Reconstruction effort

“This small adjustment doesn’t diminish what we’ve accomplished or the importance of the work still ahead,” chief executive Dave Limp wrote in the memo. “Returning New Glenn to flight remains our top priority. It’s worth it.”

The new target launch date is about 10 days after the earlier target, CNBC reported, citing an unnamed person familiar with the matter.

The explosion came as Blue Origin was scheduled to launch 48 satellites for Amazon’s Leo satellite internet constellation, forcing Amazon to seek alternative launch capacity from other providers including United Launch Alliance and Arianespace.

Expansion plans

The company has several contracts with NASA’s Artemis lunar programme, including the development of a lunar lander.

In October it said it was investing in the Florida facility with the aim of supporting multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.