Blue Origin’s BE-4 engine is designed to launch the Vulcan Centaur launch vehicle, whose first flight has been postponed several times.
As it became known from anonymous sources close to Blue Origin, an explosion occurred at the end of June during a test launch of Jeff Bezos’ BE-4 rocket engine. This is yet another setback that prevents United Launch Alliance’s new launch vehicle from making its maiden flight into space, Gizmodo reports.
According to anonymous sources, the BE-4 rocket engine exploded about 10 seconds after the test began on June 30 this year. The engine itself was destroyed, and the test bench was severely damaged.
Representatives of Blue Origin confirmed that there was indeed a “problem” during the engine tests, but no one was injured and an investigation is underway into what caused the “problem”. Later, it became known that the cause had been identified and was being addressed.
The new BE-4 engines are to be used in both Blue Origin’s New Glenn and United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur launch vehicles. The first space flight of the latter was repeatedly postponed and was supposed to take place on May 4 this year. But now it is likely to happen no earlier than the end of 2023.
According to anonymous sources, the testing of the exploded engine was supposed to be completed in July this year. And then it was to be transferred to the United Launch Alliance. Sources said that the company was already aware of the explosion.
Currently, the United Launch Alliance is trying to solve the problem with the upper stage of its rocket, which manifested itself during tests in March this year. Initially, the Vulcan Centaur rocket was scheduled to be launched in 2020, but Blue Origin did not provide its BE-4 engines in time. And this delay continues.
Photo: Wikipedia
Blue Origin is no stranger to such problems. Last September, the New Shepard rocket’s booster exploded mid-flight, and the payload capsule separated ahead of schedule and, of course, did not make it into space. After investigating the causes of the crash, problems were found in the rocket’s engine.
Booster failure on today’s uncrewed flight. Escape system performed as designed. pic.twitter.com/xFDsUMONTh
– Blue Origin (@blueorigin) September 12, 2022
Last September, the New Shepard rocket booster exploded in mid-flight
As for the new launch vehicle from Blue Origin, called the New Glenn, it is to be equipped with seven BE-4 engines. It has never flown into space and it is not known when it will.
