Blue Origin rocket explodes during test; Jeff Bezos says 'rough day', all personnel safe

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket exploded during a ground hotfire test at Cape Canaveral, Florida, on May 28. The incident, described as an anomaly by the company, occurred during a test as part of its heavy-lift launch program. No injuries were reported, and all personnel were accounted for and safe. Founder Jeff Bezos addressed the situation on X, stating it was a 'rough day' but emphasizing the company’s commitment to recovery. 'We’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it,' he wrote. Blue Origin confirmed it is actively investigating the cause of the failure. The company has not yet disclosed the root cause of the explosion, but it assured updates would be provided as the investigation progresses. Bezos reiterated that safety remains a priority, with personnel unharmed and efforts focused on identifying what went wrong during the test. New Glenn is a key project for Blue Origin, designed to support heavy-lift missions. The setback follows earlier delays in the rocket’s development, but the company remains determined to resume operations.