Blue Origin Identifies BE-4 Valve Issue Behind New Glenn Explosion; Blue Moon Mark 1 Slips to Q1 2027

Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp said the May 28, 2026 New Glenn static-fire explosion at LC-36 was caused by an issue with the main oxygen valve on a BE-4 engine. Modified hardware is expected by end of August 2026, but the debut of the Blue Moon Mark 1 lunar cargo lander — needed to deliver NASA's Moon Base I rovers — has slipped from late summer 2026 to Q1 2027 at the earliest, pending New Glenn's return to flight.