tech
How long will it take to rebuild Blue Origin's launch pad? We asked some SpaceX vets.
“Everyone is in a place where it’s no fun to be there.”
TL;DR
- A recent Blue Origin rocket explosion during a static fire test evokes memories of a 2016 Falcon 9 explosion, both occurring on the cusp of increased launch cadences.
- Both incidents destroyed significant portions of their respective launch sites and had implications for NASA's future launch plans.
- SpaceX veterans who experienced the Falcon 9 failure offer insights into the investigation and rebuilding process, emphasizing transparency and thorough evidence analysis.
- The rebuilding of SpaceX's Launch Complex-40 took 15.5 months from failure to a new launch, with actual construction lasting 11 months.
- Experts express skepticism about Blue Origin's goal to launch from their damaged pad this year, estimating 12 to 18 months as a more realistic timeframe.
- The New Glenn failure presents an opportunity for Blue Origin to optimize their launch pad design for faster turnaround, similar to how SpaceX improved SLC-40 after its incident.
- The rebuilding process involves extensive work on structural elements, electrical wiring, and intricate tubing, tasks that require significant time and skilled labor.