A rocket developed by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin exploded on a launch pad in Florida on Thursday night during a pre-launch engine test. The explosion shook nearby homes and briefly painted the sky orange. The blast occurred around 9:00 p.m. as crews conducted a 'hotfire test,' where the rocket's seven booster engines were ignited while the vehicle remained secured to the pad.
Explosion Details
Videos from the site showed flames climbing the sides of the rocket moments before a massive explosion engulfed the launch area. 'We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test,' Blue Origin's social media team wrote on X. 'All personnel have been accounted for.' Emergency officials stated there is no threat from fumes or other potential hazards.
Bezos Responds
'It's too early to know the root cause but we're already working to find it,' Mr. Bezos wrote on social media. 'Very rough day, but we'll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It's worth it.' The massive New Glenn rocket was grounded in April after leaving a satellite in the wrong orbit due to engine failure. It was only the third flight of the rocket that Blue Origin intends to use to launch landers to the moon for NASA.
Local Impact
Homes shook in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, with residents turning to social media to wonder what happened. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 36 is visible from the beach, and the internet quickly filled with photos of an orange fireball. New Glenn made its debut in 2025 from Cape Canaveral. It is named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.
