Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 28 around 9 p.m. Homes shook in Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, and the explosion was visible from the beach. No one was hurt. But lots of people were concerned, especially the viewer in the last video embedded below.
Engineers were conducting a test firing of the first stage’s seven BE-4 engines when something went wrong at the base of the rocket. The upper stage tilted and fell as the first stage collapsed; then the vehicle exploded as its methane fuel and liquid oxygen ignited. Science.
The rocket was being prepped for a June launch to send 48 Amazon Leo internet satellites into orbit. The satellites were not on the rocket. Blue Origin only has one New Glenn pad, and it was damaged from the explosion. New Glenn is also the launch vehicle for Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lunar lander, part of NASA’s Artemis program. NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman said the agency would work with Blue Origin to investigate and assess impacts to near-term missions.
Bezos said on X it was “too early to know the root cause” and that the team would “rebuild whatever needs rebuilding.”
Blue Origin warned that debris could wash ashore on local beaches in the coming days. If you find any, don’t touch it (we’re not sure why) and report it at 1-321-222-4355 or MissionRecovery@blueorigin.com.
