Blue Origin rocket explodes on the launchpad during an engine-firing test

A Blue Origin rocket exploded during a test at the launchpad Thursday night, shaking nearby homes and briefly painting the sky orange.

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — A rocket belonging to Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin exploded during a test at the launch pad Thursday night, shaking nearby homes and briefly painting the sky orange.

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Blue Origin said its New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing test being conducted ahead of a satellite launch planned for next week. No one was hurt, according to officials at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

“It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it,” Bezos said via X. “Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.”