CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – A Blue Origin rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday night, according to the sheriff’s office.
The explosion prompted warnings that hazardous debris could wash ashore along Florida’s coastline in the coming days and weeks.
Officials are urging the public not to touch, move, or attempt to recover any suspected debris. Blue Origin has established a Wreckage Management Hotline at 321-222-4355 and an email address — missionrecovery@blueorigin.com — for anyone who spots suspected wreckage.
In a livestream by Spaceflight Now, Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was seen at the launch pad. But at 9 p.m., the rocket appeared to explode into a massive fireball.
Footage from the Cape Canaveral Community Center also appears to show the fireball far off in the distance.
Blue Origin later released a statement on X, confirming that all personnel had been accounted for.
We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) May 29, 2026
Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos mirrored that sentiment with his own post about the explosion.
All personnel are accounted for and safe. It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it.
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) May 29, 2026
Brevard County Emergency Management also issued a notice about the “anomaly” shortly after 9:30 p.m., cautioning that there is no threat to the general public.
Brevard County Sheriff Wayne Ivey also issued a statement, which reads as follows:
“A Blue Origin rocket exploded on the launchpad just moments ago during a static fire test ahead of a pending launch!!
There are no reported injuries at this time and the current plan is to allow the contained fire from the explosion to burn itself out.
Our agency, as well as the Brevard County Emergency Management and Brevard County Fire Rescue, are monitoring the incident and stand ready to assist should the need arise.
There is no danger or threat to the community and if any further information develops we will provide an update as it becomes available!!"
Sheriff Wayne Ivey
An image shared with News 6 by viewer Amberle Platts shows the massive fireball in the distance.
The massive New Glenn was grounded in April after it left a satellite in the wrong orbit because of engine failure. It was only the third flight of the rocket that Blue Origin intends to use to launch landers to the moon for NASA.
New Glenn made its debut in 2025 from Cape Canaveral. It is named after John Glenn, the first American to orbit Earth.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman commented on Thursday’s explosion, announcing that the agency is aware of the anomaly.
NASA is aware of the anomaly that occurred tonight at Launch Complex 36 involving Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. ⁰⁰Spaceflight is unforgiving, and developing new heavy-lift launch capability is extraordinarily difficult. We will work with…
— NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman (@NASAAdmin) May 29, 2026
On Friday, the FAA released a statement:
“The FAA is aware that the Blue Origin New Glenn vehicle experienced an anomaly during a static fire test on the pad in Cape Canaveral, Florida around 9 p.m. local time on May 28. This test was not within the scope of FAA licensed activities. There was no impact to air traffic. Please contact Blue Origin for more information.”
FAA
No additional information has been provided at this time, including the cause of the explosion.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.