BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Officials at Patrick Space Force Base say Blue Origin has been cleared to begin assessing damage at Launch Complex 36 following last week’s explosion involving the company’s New Glenn rocket.
During a virtual update Tuesday, Space Force officials said emergency response plans were put into action immediately after the explosion Thursday night. Leaders said the incident served as a real-world test of procedures that had been extensively practiced before the launch.
Officials said personnel from fire rescue, security forces, public affairs, safety teams and command staff were all involved in the response. Within about 20 minutes of the explosion, emergency crews had established accountability measures, and all personnel were accounted for within 30 minutes.
According to Patrick Space Force Base, debris from the explosion has been recovered from locations as far as a half-mile from the launch pad.
Officials also noted that the location of Launch Complex 36 helped limit potential impacts. The pad is situated on the southern end of the Cape Canaveral launch complex, providing separation from other active launch facilities and allowing crews to focus on emergency operations and firefighting efforts.
On Sunday afternoon, officials cleared the launch site and authorized Blue Origin teams to enter the area and begin evaluating damage.
Blue Origin has indicated that initial assessments suggest the rocket’s fuel tanks remained intact despite the explosion.
The Space Force said it remains too early to determine whether facilities not operated by Blue Origin sustained damage. However, officials confirmed that pressure from the blast damaged windows at Hangar C and that inspection teams are continuing to evaluate nearby structures.
Environmental monitoring is also ongoing. Officials said a restoration advisory board is conducting soil and water sampling in the area. If contamination or hazardous materials are detected, mitigation efforts will be implemented to address any environmental concerns.
Patrick Space Force Base also said a hotline remains available for residents to report debris that may wash ashore along the Space Coast. As of Tuesday’s update, officials said they were not aware of any reports being submitted through the hotline.