Updated May 28, 2026, 10:22 p.m. ET
A Blue Origin rocket has apparently exploded on the launch pad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
The 320-foot New Glenn rocket was undergoing an engine “hotfire test” on Thursday, May 28, ahead of an upcoming launch of 48 Amazon Leo broadband satellites into low-Earth orbit. A target launch date had not been announced.
“We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin said in a post on X. “All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.”
A spokesman for Blue Origin, which is Jeff Bezos’ company, referred USA TODAY to the post, after a reporter requested more information about what happened.
Reuters is reporting that Bezos said that it’s too early to know the root cause of what happened but that Blue Origin will figure it out, rebuild what needs rebuilding and get back to flying.
Video of the moment that the New Glenn rocket exploded was spreading fast across social media. It shows a sudden and powerful explosion, followed by the rocket quickly being engulfed in massive flames. Video of the aftermath showed a yellow haze in the sky surrounded by thick clouds in what looked like an apocalyptic scene.
