Just days before the highly anticipated launch of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, the company faced a fine for conducting a previous test without a proper permit. This incident raises questions about regulatory compliance within the burgeoning commercial space industry.
The Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) imposed a $3,000 fine, plus additional costs totaling $3,250, on Blue Origin. The penalty stems from the unauthorized use of a water deluge system during a static fire test of the New Glenn rocket at Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, as reported by local media.
The static fire test, conducted in September 2024, lasted 15 seconds and aimed to validate interactions between the second stage subsystems, its BE-3U engines, and ground control systems. However, Blue Origin proceeded with the test despite not having received the necessary permit from the FDEP for using the water deluge system. This action led to the subsequent fine.
The FDEP stated in a letter: “While Blue Origin applied for a permit for the LC-36 deluge system on May 31, 2024, no permit has been issued to date and the system may not be placed into service. This static fire appears to constitute an intentional unauthorized discharge of untreated industrial wastewater to the environment.”
New Glenn, a heavy-lift vehicle standing approximately 320 feet (98 meters) tall, is designed to carry up to 45 tons to low Earth orbit and 13 tons to geostationary orbit. The rocket’s reusable first stage is intended for up to 25 missions. The inaugural launch, scheduled for no earlier than January 10, 2025, within a three-hour window opening at 1 a.m. ET, will carry the Blue Ring Pathfinder. This launch also serves as the rocket’s first certification flight, potentially paving the way for future national security payloads.
Despite being in development for nearly a decade, New Glenn’s debut has faced delays, primarily attributed to the development of its seven BE-4 engines, also designed by Blue Origin. The initial launch was planned for 2020 but has been pushed back several years. Recent tests conducted in 2024 finally set the stage for the upcoming liftoff.
Blue Origin is not the only space company facing scrutiny for its handling of water deluge systems. SpaceX, a major competitor, was also fined in 2023 for testing its system without obtaining the required environmental permits. Further reports in August 2024 suggested ongoing environmental violations at SpaceX’s Starbase facility in Texas related to industrial wastewater discharge.
With the imminent launch of New Glenn, Blue Origin aims to compete more directly with SpaceX. This competition further intensifies the rivalry between their respective founders, Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk, both known for their ambitious space ventures. This incident highlights the ongoing tension between rapid technological advancement in the space industry and the importance of adhering to environmental regulations. The upcoming launch and subsequent operations of New Glenn will likely face continued scrutiny regarding environmental compliance.
