Blue Origin aims to repair the damage done by a launch-pad explosion and return to flight before the end of the year, the company's CEO says.

Multiple sources said a more realistic timeline for Blue Origin to rebuild its pad and launch from there is 12 to 18 months. If this were to occur, it would significantly set back NASA and its Artemis Program, which is relying on the New Glenn rocket and Blue Moon lander for both cargo and eventually crewed missions to the lunar surface.

By Joey Roulette June 2 (Reuters) - Blue Origin will return its New Glenn rocket to flight before the year ends, CEO Dave Limp said late on Monday, days after one of the rockets exploded, damaging the company's launch pad and tightening a U.

The company, owned by Jeff Bezos, said its New Glenn rocket would launch this week. A second stage failure derailed the vehicle’s third flight last month.

Bill Nelson, former NASA administrator and U.S. senator for the state of Florida, shared his thoughts with WESH 2 News on the Blue Origin New Glenn explosion at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, calling it a stark reminder of the challenges and risks involved in space flight.