What Happened at Launch Complex 36 on May 28, 2026

A Blue Origin rocket exploded on the launch tower in a fiery blast during a test of its engines on Thursday night. The static fire test took place at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida and came in preparation for the company's upcoming launch of its New Glenn rocket, which was set to send 48 Amazon satellites into low Earth orbit.

The explosion occurred at approximately 9 p.m. ET. Blue Origin confirmed there were no injuries from the incident, stating: "We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more."

Key facts confirmed so far:

• The New Glenn rocket was scheduled to lift off the following week to orbit, carrying Amazon's Leo satellites.
• The rocket was likely fully fueled at the time, contributing to what is described as one of the largest rocket explosions in U.S. history and the worst failure in Blue Origin's existence.
• Officials warned that debris from the explosion could wash up on Florida beaches, cautioning that it could be hazardous and that direct contact could pose health risks. Anyone spotting debris was urged to call 911 immediately.
• Brevard County Emergency Management issued a notice shortly after 9:30 p.m. clarifying there was no threat to the general public.

What a Hotfire Test Is and Why It Matters

A static fire test, sometimes called a hotfire, is when a rocket's engines are briefly tested while the vehicle is secured on the pad. This is done before every launch to verify the rocket and ground systems are performing correctly. When something goes wrong during this phase, the consequences can be severe precisely because the vehicle is fully loaded with propellant.

The reused rocket booster had previously performed well, successfully landing a second time on one of Blue Origin's drone ships during New Glenn's third mission in April 2026. However, that same mission suffered a cryogenic failure in the upper stage, which led to the loss of a satellite. Thursday's hotfire was meant to clear the path for the rocket's fourth mission.

Jeff Bezos Responds and Investigation Begins

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos posted on social media: "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."

Range officials, Blue Origin, and other partners are evaluating available data to determine the exact cause of the anomaly. Officials also confirmed the Eastern Range remains fully mission capable and continues to support operations at all other launch complexes.

Investigators have not yet identified the cause of the explosion. It remains unclear how much damage was done to the launch pad, support infrastructure, or the rocket itself. Officials have not said whether the planned launch of Amazon's Kuiper satellites will be delayed or canceled.