Blue Origin’s New Glenn at Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 36. Credit: Blue Origin
AMSTERDAM — A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on its launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida, during a May 28 hotfire test, destroying the rocket and causing extensive pad damage.
The New Glenn rocket for the company’s next mission exploded at about 9 p.m. Eastern during a static-fire test of the rocket’s first stage. Blue Origin and the Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45, which operates the Eastern Range, confirmed there were no injuries.
Videos show a massive explosion just after the stage’s seven BE-4 engines ignited for the test, creating a giant fireball that enveloped the pad at Launch Complex 36.
“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more,” Blue Origin said in a statement on social media shortly after the explosion.
