Blue Origin rocket explodes on the launch pad during an engine-firing test

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, shaking nearby homes and briefly illuminating the sky. Officials reported no injuries. Blue Origin stated the explosion occurred during an engine-firing test conducted ahead of a satellite launch planned for the following week. Bezos said the root cause was not yet known and that the company was working to determine it. The New Glenn rocket had previously been grounded after a prior mission placed a satellite into the wrong orbit due to engine failure. The rocket is intended for future NASA lunar missions, including landers for astronauts and Artemis-related payloads. NASA said developing heavy-lift launch capability is extremely difficult and promised updates on any Artemis impacts.

"Blue Origin said its New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test being conducted ahead of a satellite launch planned for next week. No one was hurt, according to officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. "It's too early to know the root cause but we're already working to find it," Bezos said via X. "Very rough day, but we'll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It's worth it.""

"The massive New Glenn was grounded in April after it left a satellite in the wrong orbit because of 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, including the landers that will take astronauts to the lunar surface. The company had been on track to launch a prototype lunar lander to the moon on a flight test this fall."

"Earlier this week, the space agency awarded Blue Origin a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars to launch a pair of moon buggies in the next few years as part of the Artemis program. "Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult," NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said via X. He promised to provide information on any impacts to the Artemis program, including the moon base that he recently outlined."

"Homes shook in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach around 9 p.m., with residents turning to social media to wonder what happened. Launch Complex 36 is visible from the beach, and the internet quickly filled with photos of an orange fireball. The rocket was supposed to blast off next week with internet satellites that are part of the Amazon Leo constellation in orbit. Emergency crews remained more than an hour after the explosion."

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