Blue Origin's Setback: New Glenn Test Rocket Explodes at Launchpad

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on the launchpad during a test, posing a setback for Jeff Bezos' space company. The incident happened as the company competes with Elon Musk's SpaceX. Despite the failure, Blue Origin remains committed to advancing its space program.

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded on the launchpad during a test on Thursday, marking a significant setback for Jeff Bezos' space venture as it competes with Elon Musk's SpaceX.

The incident, described as an 'anomaly' by Blue Origin, resulted in a massive fireball and plume of smoke but all personnel were accounted for. NASA's Jared Isaacman acknowledged the difficulty of spaceflight and committed to supporting the investigation.

The event occurs as both companies race to support NASA's lunar missions, with NASA recently awarding Blue Origin a contract. The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration noted the incident's limited scope but is aware of it.