Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on its Florida launch pad

2026, May 29

United States

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on its Florida launch pad during a late-night engine “hot-fire” test, creating a massive fireball visible across the Cape Canaveral area. No injuries were reported.

The explosion happened while engineers were preparing the uncrewed New Glenn rocket for a planned launch carrying 48 Amazon internet satellites. The vehicle was undergoing a static engine-firing test — essentially a rehearsal where engines ignite while the rocket remains bolted to the pad.

Blue Origin described the incident as an “anomaly” and said all personnel were safe. Founder Jeff Bezos later posted that it was a “very rough day” but vowed the company would rebuild and continue flying.

The blast is a major setback for Blue Origin’s efforts to compete with SpaceX in the heavy-lift rocket market. New Glenn is central to future NASA lunar missions, Amazon’s satellite network, and Blue Origin’s broader ambitions in commercial spaceflight.

Officials from NASA and the U.S. Space Force are now investigating the cause of the failure. Early reports indicate significant damage to the launch infrastructure at Cape Canaveral.