A Blue Origin rocket exploded on the launch pad in Florida during a test on Thursday evening, according to a statement from the company. The explosion occurred around 9 p.m. Eastern Time, and fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Incident Details

The company, owned by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, was conducting a hotfire test of the rocket’s engines when the explosion happened. Blue Origin confirmed that all personnel were accounted for and stated, “We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.”

The rocket was being prepared for the fourth mission of the New Glenn series, which was scheduled to launch 48 satellites for Amazon’s Leo internet service. This service is a competitor to Elon Musk’s Starlink. The launch was planned for June 4, but it is unclear how the explosion will affect this timeline.

Background on Blue Origin

Blue Origin successfully launched its third New Glenn Rocket last month, marking a significant milestone for the company. The New Glenn rockets are part of Blue Origin’s efforts to establish a presence in the commercial satellite launch market, which is becoming increasingly competitive.

This incident is a reminder of the challenges and risks associated with space exploration and commercial satellite launches. Blue Origin, like other companies in the industry, must navigate these challenges while ensuring the safety of its personnel and the success of its missions.

Original reporting: KTSA News/Talk (San Antonio) — read the source article.