Blue Origin targets end-of-2026 for New Glenn return as launch-site damage assessed

Blue Origin says New Glenn will fly again by year-end 2026 after an explosion at Launch Complex 36; critical infrastructure survived (fuel/oxidizer storage and water tower), with the main support tower damaged but repairable and the booster 'Never Tell Me The Odds' plus three GS-2 upper stages appearing undamaged. NASA clarified that a prior 2028 remark referred to lunar missions, not New Glenn. Space names rebounded in after-hours trading, led by ASTS, RKLB, SIDU, and RDW as investors price in a quicker return-to-flight, while RKTO and other space stocks showed notable moves and sentiment remains bullish for launch-dependent players like AST SpaceMobile, Rocket Lab, Sidus Space and Redwire.