Dynaverse.net
Off Topic => Engineering => Topic started by: Nemesis on May 28, 2026, 10:26:23 pm
-
Within the last 2 or 3 hours they had their New Glenn doing a static fire explode on the launch pad. No casualties but how much damage to infrastructure and how long to repair/rebuild and for the inevitable investigation is in question. The chances of them being able to launch a prototype lunar lander in under 2 years is in SERIOUS question now.
This is actually a duplicate post from the "Interesting stuff about SpaceX Starship" thread. Thought it worth its own thread to make it more visible.
I do wonder (this isn't on the other thread) if this was a test with a reused engine. There is nothing I know of to indicate it is, I'm just speculating.
-
The explosion destroyed one of their two lightning towers, the horizontal integration equipment AND the other booster that they had ready (no mention of if it already had its engines but I'd guess no).
One of the rumours is that the centre engine blew up and drove fragments upwards through the booster. This would potentially ground Vulcan that already seems to be grounded by the two failed STB nozzles so potentially delaying their launches even more.
This is going to be a massive rebuild. Two years may be on the optimistic side (though I hope I'm wrong).
The announcement didn't actually say no one was hurt. It said that everyone was "accounted for". Odd phrasing if there were no injuries or deaths.