Blue Origin rocket explodes during Cape Canaveral test, Artemis setback likely

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket suffered a catastrophic explosion during a prelaunch static fire test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 28, 2026. The blast occurred shortly after 9 p.m. local time, lighting up the sky in orange and causing significant damage to Launch Complex 36. No injuries were reported, but authorities warned residents to avoid debris washing ashore. The test was part of preparations for New Glenn’s fourth launch, intended to deploy Amazon’s Project Kuiper internet satellites. The rocket, named after astronaut John Glenn, had previously launched successfully in January 2025. Blue Origin had invested $1 billion to rebuild the launchpad, which was completed in 2021. The explosion follows Blue Origin’s recent announcement that its uncrewed lunar lander would launch later in 2026 to support NASA’s Artemis program. The setback could delay Artemis missions, as New Glenn was also slated for national security launches and future crewed lunar landings. NASA’s Artemis III mission, targeting 2027, relies on coordinated efforts between Blue Origin and SpaceX. Jeff Bezos confirmed the cause remains under investigation, stating on X that the company would rebuild damaged infrastructure. New Glenn differs from Blue Origin’s New Shepard suborbital rocket, which has been paused to prioritize lunar ambitions. The incident underscores risks in NASA’s push to return astronauts to the moon ahead of China’s lunar program. Blue Origin’s role in Artemis hinges on recovering from this setback while maintaining progress on its lunar lander development.