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CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION — During a scheduled static fire of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket on Thursday night, the rocket experienced a malfunction and exploded on the pad at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Details are unknown on what caused the explosion that happened a little after 9 p.m. ET. The rocket was scheduled to liftoff next week to orbit.
Blue Origin posted to X, "We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more."
We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.
Space Launch Delta 45 Public Affairs Media Operations Chief Emre Kelly stated that there were no injuries or deaths being reported.
"Emergency responders are on the scene. All personnel have been accounted for and there were no injuries/fatalities," he confirmed in an email to the press.
He added that range officials and Blue Origin are working to evaluate the data to determine what caused the "anomaly". In a follow-up email, Kelly warned of possible debris in the water.
"Debris from the anomaly could wash ashore along publicly accessible areas over the coming days and weeks. It is critical to report sightings to 911 for proper removal and mitigation. The debris could be hazardous and direct contact could pose health risks," he stated about the results from the failed static fire test.
A static fire test, sometimes called a hotfire, is when a rocket’s engines are briefly tested while the vehicle is secure. This is done before every launch to test the rocket and ground systems.
U.S. Rep. Mike Haridopolos, who is the chairman of the U.S. Space and Aeronautics Subcommittee, also took to X and stated he spoke with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman about the explosion.
Haridopolos confirmed that there were no reported injuries.
I’ve already spoken with @NASAAdmin Jared Isaacman regarding the explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket tonight at Kennedy Space Center. I am grateful there were no reported injuries and thankful for the first responders, engineers, and launch crews who acted quickly.… https://t.co/m0IAerHZan
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos also took to X and confirmed that everyone has been accounted for and they are working to find the cause of the explosion. He also vowed that they would rebuild whatever needs rebuilding.
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.
The New Glenn was supposed to launch Amazon’s Leo satellites next week. It would have been its maiden launch.
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