Jeff Bezos’ space rocket erupts in explosion on launch pad in Florida
Photo: billionaire Jeff Bezos (Getty Images)
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded on Thursday evening at the launch pad at Cape Canaveral in Florida. The company said that no one was injured in the incident, according to CBS News.
“All personnel are accounted for and safe. Additional information will be released as it becomes available,” Blue Origin said in a statement.
The company was preparing to fuel the rocket ahead of a planned engine test firing later that evening.
Blue Origin, founded by Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos, recently successfully launched its third New Glenn rocket last month.
The vehicle was being prepared for its fourth mission scheduled for June 4, which aimed to deploy 48 satellites for Amazon’s Leo internet service, competing with Elon Musk’s Starlink.
Blue Origin develops rockets, spacecraft, and technologies for suborbital and orbital flights. Its best-known projects include the New Shepard suborbital tourism rocket and the heavy-lift New Glenn launcher.
The company is one of SpaceX’s main competitors in the private space industry and also works with NASA on lunar and space programs.
Earlier, reports said Blue Origin’s first attempt to send the New Glenn rocket into orbit took place in 2025.
RBC-Ukraine also reported that SpaceX’s Starship V3 rocket exploded in the Indian Ocean after completing its test flight and splashdown.
