A Blue Origin rocket belonging to Jeff Bezos exploded in a fiery blast during a late-night test at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The incident occurred as the rocket was being prepared for a static fire test ahead of a planned mission on June 4. Despite the destruction, no injuries were reported, and all personnel were confirmed safe.
The explosion, which occurred at the base of the rocket, led to a massive plume of flames engulfing the entire vessel. The extent of the damage to the launchpad and support equipment is yet to be assessed, along with the potential delays to the project as a result of the explosion.
Following the incident, Bezos expressed determination to investigate the cause and rebuild as necessary to resume operations. SpaceX founder Elon Musk commented on the event, acknowledging the challenges of rocket technology. Meanwhile, Blue Origin issued a statement confirming the anomaly during the test and ensuring updates as more information becomes available.
The rocket, named New Glenn after astronaut John Glenn, was set to launch internet satellites as part of the Amazon LEO constellation. Although the setback poses challenges, the team aims to address the issue and continue its mission. NASA has also acknowledged the explosion and plans to investigate the impact on future missions.