Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin rocket explodes in giant fireball on launchpad during ‘hotfire test’

A rocket developed by Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin exploded on a launch pad in Florida on Thursday night during a pre-launch engine test. The explosion shook nearby homes and briefly painted the sky orange.

The blast happened around 9.00pm as crews carried out a “hotfire test”, in which the rocket’s seven booster engines were ignited while the vehicle remained secured to the pad.

Videos from the site showed flames climbing the sides of the rocket moments before a huge explosion engulfed the launch area.

“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin’s social media team wrote on X. “All personnel have been accounted for.”

Emergency officials said there is no threat due to fumes or other potential hazards.

“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” Mr Bezos wrote on social media. “Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”

The massive New Glenn rocket was grounded in April after it left a satellite in the wrong orbit because of engine failure. It was only the third flight of the rocket that Blue Origin intends to use to launch landers to the moon for Nasa.

Homes shook in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, with residents turning to social media to wonder what happened. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36 is visible from the beach, and the internet quickly filled with photos of an orange fireball.

New Glenn made its debut in 2025 from Cape Canaveral. It is named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.