Moment Blue Origin rocket explodes during test in FloridaA rocket made by the company Blue Origin exploded on its launch pad in Florida during a test.
Footage shows the rocket bursting into a massive ball of fire, engulfing the area around it.
In a statement on social media, Blue Origin said it had “experienced an anomaly” during a hotfire test. It added that all personnel have been accounted for.
The space technology company was founded in the year 2000 by Amazon billionaire Jeff Bezos.
The explosion took place around 21:00 local time (02:00 +1 GMT) at Cape Canaveral. There is no threat to the public, according to Brevard County Emergency Management.
Bezos wrote on social media that all personnel are accounted for and safe.
“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” he said. “Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”
The US Space Force said emergency responders are at the scene and officials are working with Blue Origin to evaluate available data to determine the exact cause of the anomaly.
The explosion took place during a test that was being conducted ahead of an upcoming launch.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on X: “Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult. We will work with our partners to support a thorough investigation of this anomaly, assess near-term mission impacts, and get back to launching rockets.”
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) said in a statement that it was aware of the incident.
“This test was not within the scope of FAA licensed activities,” the agency said, adding that there was no impact to air traffic.
Just last month, Blue Origin’s newest rocket was grounded after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) ordered an investigation into a “mishap” involving the failed launch of a satellite.
The company attempted to place a satellite from AST SpaceMobile using its New Glenn rocket but was unable to get it as far into orbit as intended.
The space company successfully launched a New Glenn rocket from Florida last November, landing its reusable booster for the first time.
