None
EN
New Glenn explosion linked to rocket engine valve
['Jeff Foust', 'More Jeff Foust']
SpaceNews
WASHINGTON — Blue Origin has traced the explosion of its New Glenn rocket during a static-fire test in May to a valve in the rocket’s BE-4 engine, an issue that could also affect United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur.
“The anomaly originated at the main oxygen valve on one of the BE-4 engines, which was later confirmed by hardware recovery and inspections,” he said.
“Extensive component-level and engine hotfire tests have been conducted to understand the failure mode better and inform mitigations.”
Because the problem is with the BE-4 engine, it may also be an issue for United Launch Alliance, whose Vulcan rocket uses the engine in its first stage.
Limp did not provide a schedule update when he discussed the BE-4 investigation.