Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin Rocket Explodes During Test In Florida
NBC News
A rocket from Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin exploded on the launch pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida, during an engine test on Thursday, sending debris high into the air and surrounding ocean.
“Debris from our recent hotfire anomaly may wash ashore in the coming days/weeks. If you encounter any debris, do not touch or approach it for your safety,” Blue Origin wrote on X following the incident.
The New Glenn rocket exploded as it test-fired its engines in preparation for what was supposed to be a satellite launch scheduled for next week.
“All personnel are accounted for and safe. It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it,” Jeff Bezos wrote on X.
The New Glenn was grounded in April after an engine failure led Blue Origin to accidentally leave a satellite in the wrong orbit, the Associated Press reported. Aalthough the first-stage booster performed as expected, the upper stage could not get the satellite into a high enough orbit so that it could begin operations.
NBC News reported that the New Glenn and Blue Origin are part of NASA’s plans to return to the moon and build a lunar base. Blue Origin is supposed to provide lunar buggies and landers as part of the project. What impact the explosion might have on the project is unknown.
Florida Today reported that when the 320-foot-tall rocket exploded, the shockwave from the blast could be felt for miles.
“We heard a loud bang. Our house shook. Our windows rattled,” Phil Stasik told Florida Today. Phil and his wife Linda live about 11 miles from where the rocket exploded.
“We ran out into the driveway and saw the mushroom cloud rising off on the eastern horizon. We knew from its location that that would have been Slick 36,” he said. “This is part of life on the Space Coast. We’ve lived here for 32 years, and we’ve watched numerous other rockets have anomalies of various types. We’ve seen other explosions. It’s going to happen, much the way we know that there are accidents on the road and in the air — I’m a retired airline captain.”
