Watch: Huge blast rocks Blue Origin as New Glenn rocket explodes during testing

A massive explosion rocked Blue Origin's launch facilities during a hot-fire test of its New Glenn rocket, marking a major setback for the aerospace company founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos.

The incident occurred during preparations for a future mission, with dramatic footage circulating online showing a large fireball and thick plumes of smoke rising from the test site.

WATCH NEW GLENN. EXPLODE DURING TESTING

Blue Origin confirmed the mishap in a brief statement, describing the event as an "anomaly" during testing.

"We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more," the company said.

The hot-fire test is one of the final and most critical milestones before a rocket is cleared for launch. During the procedure, engines are ignited while the vehicle remains secured to the ground, allowing engineers to evaluate performance, fuel systems, and other vital components under launch-like conditions.

While the exact cause of the explosion remains unknown, the incident appears to have caused significant damage to the test vehicle and surrounding infrastructure. Blue Origin has not yet released details regarding the extent of the destruction or how the accident may affect the company's launch schedule.

Jeff Bezos addressed the incident shortly after the explosion, emphasising that no injuries had been reported and that an investigation was already underway.

"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," Bezos wrote.

The setback comes as Blue Origin seeks to establish New Glenn as a major competitor in the rapidly expanding commercial launch market. Standing more than 98 meters tall, the heavy-lift rocket is designed to carry large satellites and spacecraft into orbit and is central to the company's ambitions in both commercial and government spaceflight.

Rocket development is inherently risky, and test failures, while costly, are often part of the process of building reliable launch systems. Many successful launch vehicles, including those developed by competitors, experienced major setbacks during their testing phases before eventually achieving operational success.

For Blue Origin, the immediate focus will now be on determining what triggered the explosion, assessing the damage, and deciding how quickly the New Glenn program can recover from one of its most serious testing failures to date.