Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket explodes in Florida test

A Blue Origin rocket exploded during a test at its Florida launch pad Thursday night, sending a massive fireball into the sky and shaking nearby communities. The incident occurred around 9 p.m. local time at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36.

The company, founded by Jeff Bezos, confirmed its New Glenn rocket experienced an anomaly during a planned engine-firing test. In a statement, Blue Origin said all personnel had been accounted for and that there was no immediate threat from fumes or other hazards. Officials at the space station confirmed no one was injured.

The explosion was visible from surrounding areas, with residents in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach reporting their homes shaking. Social media quickly filled with photos and videos showing an intense orange fireball lighting up the night sky. Some footage captured a liquid pouring from the rocket’s base before ignition, followed by a visible shockwave and debris.

This failure represents a significant setback for the New Glenn program. The heavy-lift rocket, which stands 321 feet tall and made its debut in 2025, had been grounded since April following a separate engine failure that left a satellite in...