Blue Origin New Glenn Rocket Destroyed in Test Explosion at Cape Canaveral

A New Glenn rocket owned by Blue Origin exploded during a static engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 28, 2026. m. EDT as engineers prepared to conduct a brief firing of the vehicle's seven BE-4 first-stage engines. The 188-foot first stage caught fire and collapsed, followed by the 86-foot upper stage tilting and falling.

The vehicle then exploded in a fireball fueled by its load of methane and liquid oxygen.

The rocket was destroyed.

Video showed multiple fires and apparent severe damage to the launch pad after the explosion. The erector-gantry and one of two lightning towers were no longer visible. Jeff Bezos posted that all personnel were accounted for and safe. He stated it was too early to determine the root cause but that the company was already working to identify it. S.

Space Force Eastern Range said emergency responders were on the scene and confirmed there were no injuries or fatalities. Range officials stated they were evaluating data with Blue Origin to determine the cause.

The test was part of preparations for a planned June launch carrying 48 Amazon Leo internet satellites. The satellites were not aboard during the test. The New Glenn has launched three times previously. Its most recent flight in April experienced an upper-stage malfunction that prevented a commercial satellite from reaching its intended orbit.

Blue Origin has only one New Glenn launch pad, which sustained damage in the incident. The company had planned to use the vehicle for a cargo moon-lander test flight before the end of the year and for NASA's Artemis program missions scheduled for 2027 and 2028.