A rocket developed by Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, exploded on its launch pad during a ground test in Florida on Thursday night, May 28, 2026.
The incident occurred at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station during a “hotfire test” of the New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin’s massive orbital launch vehicle. The powerful explosion created a large fireball, shook nearby homes, and lit up the sky in orange. The blast also damaged the launch pad and toppled a lightning tower.
Blue Origin described the event as an “anomaly” during engine testing. In a statement, the company confirmed that all personnel involved were safe and accounted for. No injuries were reported.
Jeff Bezos responded to the incident on social media, calling it a “very rough day” and stating that it was too early to determine the root cause. He added that the team would investigate thoroughly and work to get back on track.
The New Glenn rocket was being prepared for an upcoming mission to launch 48 satellites for Amazon’s Project Kuiper. This explosion comes as a significant setback for Blue Origin, which is competing with SpaceX in the commercial space race and is also a key partner in NASA’s Artemis lunar program.
Despite the loss, industry experts note that such incidents are not uncommon during the rigorous testing phase of new heavy-lift rockets.
