Blue Origin Moves New Glenn Engine Tests to Historic NASA Facility After Launchpad Incident

• July 25, 2026

Blue Origin has relocated its engine testing operations for the second stage of its New Glenn heavy rocket to NASA’s historic B-2 test stand at the John C. Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. This move comes after a severe explosion at Blue Origin’s Florida launchpad in May, which completely destroyed the infrastructure of the facility.

NASA Supports Blue Origin With Historic Test Facility Access

The B-2 test stand holds a significant place in U.S. space history, having been utilized for the development and testing of engines that powered the Saturn V moon rockets and more recently, the Space Launch System (SLS). NASA’s decision to grant Blue Origin access to this facility aims to minimize delays in the New Glenn program and ensure the continuation of vital engine qualification activities despite the setback experienced at the Florida launch site.

Prior to the incident, Blue Origin was operating a dedicated launch site in Florida where the fully fueled New Glenn rocket unexpectedly exploded during a test in May. The resulting damage rendered the launch facility unusable, halting further on-site testing.

NASA’s collaboration offers Blue Origin a way to advance its testing schedule without awaiting the lengthy reconstruction of the damaged infrastructure. By leveraging the B-2 stand’s robust capabilities, Blue Origin can perform necessary static fire tests and other critical evaluations of the New Glenn’s second stage engines.

The partnership underscores NASA’s continued support for commercial space companies and the shared interest in advancing heavy-lift rocket technology pivotal for future space exploration initiatives. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is expected to be a major player in the heavy lift launch vehicle market, and maintaining momentum in its development timeline remains a priority.

While specific timelines for the resumption of tests at Stennis or the completion of launch pad repairs in Florida have not been disclosed, this shift highlights the adaptability and cooperation within the aerospace sector to overcome unexpected setbacks.

As the aerospace industry watches closely, Blue Origin’s progress with New Glenn remains an important part of the evolving landscape of next-generation rocket development and commercial spaceflight capabilities.

Following a Florida launchpad accident, Blue Origin will conduct New Glenn engine tests at NASA’s historic B-2 test stand in Mississippi.