New Glenn Fireball

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a hot-fire test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, before a planned June launch carrying Amazon Leo internet satellites. Personnel were accounted for, emergency crews responded, and federal and company teams began reviewing what failed.

1. Frame 1Blue Origin, the launch company, tests New Glenn at Cape Canaveral for a June Amazon Leo satellite launch; the rocket explodes.
2. Frame 2The test was firing seven methane-fueled BE-4 first-stage engines at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
3. Frame 3Fire spread at the base, the upper stage tilted, then methane and liquid oxygen ignited in a huge fireball.
4. Frame 4Blue Origin said all personnel were accounted for; Brevard emergency officials reported no public threat.
5. Frame 5Emergency crews stayed on scene while the Space Force and Blue Origin began reviewing data to find the cause.
6. Frame 6Next pressure point: FAA review and pad-damage checks decide whether the June Leo launch slips.