Blue Origin Rocket Explodes
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a test in Florida
- No injuries reported in the incident
- The explosion occurred during a static fire test at Cape Canaveral
- The rocket was being prepared for a launch carrying a batch of satellites for Amazon's Leo internet constellation
- The incident is the latest setback for Blue Origin, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a test in Florida, with no injuries reported, officials said. The incident occurred during a static fire test at Cape Canaveral on May 28, 2026. The 29-story high New Glenn rocket was undergoing a static fire exercise at NASA's Kennedy Space Center to test its engines.
Officials said they experienced what they called an anomaly during the test.
- The rocket was being prepared for a launch carrying a batch of satellites for Amazon's Leo internet constellation.
- The explosion caused extensive damage to the launch pad facility, toppling one of the 600-feet high lightning towers.
Investigation Underway
An investigation is underway to determine the cause of the explosion, government sources said. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is aware of the incident and has stated that it was not within the scope of FAA licensed activities.
'The FAA is aware that the Blue Origin New Glenn vehicle experienced an anomaly during a static fire test on the pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida,' the agency said in a statement.
The U.S. Space Force said there were no injuries at the Florida space port following the incident.
Setback For Blue Origin
The explosion is a setback for Blue Origin, which is owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. The New Glenn rocket was grounded in April, after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) cleared it to fly again following an investigation into a previous failure.
Experts said the incident highlights the challenges and risks involved in space exploration.
'This incident shows that space travel is still a high-risk endeavor,' said an expert.
The New Glenn rocket had previously flown successfully, reaching orbit during its first flight, though the booster stage exploded before Blue Origin could recover it.
Previous Incidents
The New Glenn rocket had previously suffered a failure when its upper stage failed to put an AST SpaceMobile satellite into orbit, causing a total loss of the mission.
The incident occurred just a few weeks after the rocket's third flight.
The FAA had cleared the New Glenn to fly again after Blue Origin completed an investigation into the cause of the failure.
The company had been preparing for a launch carrying a batch of satellites for Amazon's Leo internet constellation.
Community Reaction
The explosion was witnessed by residents in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, who reported feeling the blast and seeing a large fireball.
'Homes shook in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach around 9pm, with residents turning to social media to ask what happened,' witnesses said.
Emergency officials said there was no threat due to fumes or other potential hazards.
The incident has raised concerns about the safety of space exploration and the potential risks to nearby communities.