Blue Origin rocket explodes during launch pad test in Florida
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during prelaunch testing at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, Qazinform News Agency reports.
The incident occurred at around 9:00 p.m. local time at Space Launch Complex 36 during a hot-fire test of the rocket’s engines.
In a statement posted on X, Blue Origin said it had experienced an anomaly during the test and confirmed that all personnel were safe.
The extent of damage to the launch pad and ground equipment has not yet been disclosed. Space Launch Complex 36 is currently the only launch facility capable of launching New Glenn rockets.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said on X that the agency would work with its partners to investigate the incident and assess its impact on upcoming missions. He added that NASA would provide information on any consequences for the Artemis and Moon Base programs as it becomes available.
NASA is aware of the anomaly that occurred tonight at Launch Complex 36 involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ⁰⁰Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult. We will work with…
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) May 29, 2026
The incident could affect future plans of both Blue Origin and NASA. Under NASA’s Artemis program, New Glenn is expected to support future lunar missions, including launches related to Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lunar lander.
New Glenn is a heavy-lift reusable launch vehicle standing approximately 98 meters tall and is considered one of Blue Origin’s flagship projects for commercial launches and participation in NASA’s lunar exploration efforts.
Earlier, Qazinform News Agency reported that Blue Origin had suspended its space tourism flights for at least two years to focus on developing technologies for future lunar missions under NASA’s Artemis program.