Published on
29/05/2026 - 10:50 GMT+2
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket was destroyed in a dramatic explosion during an engine test on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral on Thursday night. The blast sent a fireball into the sky and shook homes in the surrounding area. No injuries were reported.
The company confirmed the vehicle was undergoing a pre-launch engine firing ahead of a planned satellite mission scheduled for next week when the incident occurred. Emergency crews remained on site for more than an hour, but officials said there was no ongoing hazard to the public.
The setback adds pressure on the New Glenn programme following a previous flight anomaly earlier this year that left a satellite in the wrong orbit. The rocket is central to Blue Origin’s plans for large-scale satellite deployment and future lunar missions tied to NASA's Artemis programme.
