Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket explodes on the launchpad in Florida | Science and Technology News

The event is the latest setback for Jeff Bezos’s space venture as he seeks to narrow the gap with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket has exploded on the launchpad during a test in the US state of Florida.

What happened on Thursday evening is the latest setback for Jeff Bezos’ business as it seeks to narrow the gap with Elon Musk’s. Images of SpaceX.

Video of the incident shows smoke billowing from the bottom of the rocket before it explodes in a huge fireball that flies into the air, sending flames and smoke into the air.

Emergency crews remained at the scene an hour later, but officials said there was no threat of smoke or other hazards.

No injuries have been reported.

“We encountered a problem during today’s test,” Blue Origin said in a brief statement posted on X, adding that “everyone has been accounted for”.

A test fire is where the rocket engine is fired after it is grounded.

In another X story, Bezos said it was “too early to know what caused” the incident.

“It’s a very difficult day, but we’re going to rebuild everything we need and get the plane back on track. It’s worth it,” Bezos said.

US House Representative Mike Haridopolos, whose Florida district includes the launch site at Cape Canaveral, said in his X statement that he met with NASA administrator Jared Isaacman about the explosion.

“I am pleased that no injuries were reported and I am grateful to the first responders, engineers, and operators who responded quickly,” Haridopolos said.

Blue Origin is preparing New Glenn rocket to launch 48 Amazon Leo satellites into Low-Earth orbit, part of an effort to create a larger constellation to complement Musk’s Starlink network.

Musk responded on X to the video of the New Glenn explosion, saying: “Very sad. Rockets are difficult.”

Last month, a New Glenn rocket failed to deliver a communications satellite into the right orbit, prompting an investigation.