Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a hotfire test at the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Thursday, marking a major setback for billionaire Jeff Bezos’ space company.
The company confirmed that no injuries were reported in the incident and said all personnel were safe.
“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin said in a statement posted on X.
The explosion occurred during testing of the massive New Glenn rocket, which stands around 98 metres tall. Videos circulating online showed smoke emerging from beneath the rocket moments before a huge fireball engulfed the launch pad.
No injuries reported in explosion
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos reacted to the incident on social media and said the company would continue its mission despite the setback.
“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” Bezos posted on X.
He added that space missions are difficult and the company would rebuild whatever was damaged and resume operations soon.
SpaceX founder Elon Musk also reacted to the explosion and described the incident as “most unfortunate.”
Florida Congressman Mike Haridopolos said he had spoken with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman after the accident. He praised first responders, engineers and launch crews for acting quickly during the emergency.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said spaceflight remains extremely challenging and confirmed that NASA would support the investigation into the explosion.
The New Glenn rocket is central to Blue Origin’s future space ambitions and is also linked to NASA’s Artemis lunar mission programme.
The incident comes only weeks after another setback for the New Glenn rocket. Last month, the rocket failed to place a communications satellite into the intended orbit during an uncrewed mission.
Although Blue Origin successfully recovered the booster during that mission, the payload failed to reach the correct destination.
The US Federal Aviation Administration had earlier ordered a mishap investigation into the failed mission. Blue Origin later stated that thermal issues in one engine caused the rocket to miss its target orbit.
Investigations into Thursday’s explosion are now underway.
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