A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded in a dramatic fireball during a routine engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking a major setback for the Jeff Bezos-owned space company.
The incident took place during a hot-fire (static fire) test, a procedure in which rocket engines are ignited while the vehicle remains secured on the launch pad. The test is typically conducted ahead of an upcoming launch to verify engine performance under controlled conditions.
Videos from the site showed flames erupting beneath the rocket moments before it was engulfed in a massive explosion, sending a bright fireball and thick smoke into the night sky.
Blue Origin confirmed the incident in a statement, describing it as an “anomaly” during testing. The company said all personnel were accounted for and no injuries were reported.
The New Glenn rocket, one of Blue Origin’s most important heavy-lift launch vehicles, had been preparing for an upcoming mission aimed at deploying dozens of satellites for Amazon’s satellite internet project. The explosion now raises uncertainty over the rocket’s immediate flight schedule.
Emergency teams responded to the site following the blast, although officials confirmed there was no ongoing risk to nearby communities. The cause of the failure has not yet been determined, and an investigation is now underway involving Blue Origin and regulatory authorities.
New Glenn is designed to compete in the commercial space launch market and support future NASA and private missions, including potential deep-space and lunar operations. The latest setback adds pressure on the program as it continues development and testing.
Despite the explosion, Blue Origin is expected to continue reviewing data from the test to identify the root cause and determine the next steps for the program.