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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A rocket operated by Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin exploded on the launch pad during an engine-firing test on Thursday night, causing
vibrations in nearby homes and illuminating the sky with an orange glow. The explosion involved the New Glenn rocket, which was undergoing testing ahead of a planned satellite launch scheduled for the following week. Officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station confirmed that no injuries occurred as a result of the incident.
Details of the Incident
Jeff Bezos commented on the situation via X, stating, “It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”The New Glenn rocket had previously been grounded after a launch in April resulted in a satellite being placed in the incorrect orbit due to an engine malfunction. This incident marked only the third flight of the rocket, which Blue Origin intends to utilize for lunar lander missions for NASA, including those carrying astronauts to the moon.
Impact on Future Launches
Blue Origin had been preparing to launch a prototype lunar lander this fall, and earlier in the week, NASA awarded the company a contract worth hundreds of millions of dollars for launching moon buggies as part of the Artemis program.NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman remarked, “Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult.” He assured stakeholders that updates regarding any implications for the Artemis program, including the moon base initiative, would be communicated.
Community Reactions
Residents in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach reported shaking homes around 9 p.m., prompting many to turn to social media to inquire about the explosion. Launch Complex 36 is visible from the beach, leading to widespread sharing of images depicting the orange fireball.The New Glenn rocket was scheduled to launch next week, carrying internet satellites that are part of the Amazon Leo constellation. Emergency crews remained on site for over an hour following the explosion, but officials indicated there was no risk from fumes or other hazards.
Upcoming Launches Unaffected
Officials from the Space Force confirmed that the explosion would not impact upcoming launches by other companies from different launch pads. United Launch Alliance's Atlas V rocket is set to launch Friday night, also carrying Amazon Leo satellites.Elon Musk of SpaceX expressed his sympathies on social media, stating, “Sorry to see this, I hope you recover quickly,” in reference to the incident involving Blue Origin.
