Overview
- The New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad during a ground test at Cape Canaveral on Thursday, with video and photographs showing flames and smoke.
- Blue Origin said there were no injuries and that the company has opened an investigation into the anomaly that caused the blast.
- NASA's administrator posted that the agency will share information about any impact on the Artemis lunar program when investigators provide it.
- The vehicle had been slated to carry commercial payloads and company founder Jeff Bezos said on X that the day was "very tough" as Blue Origin begins recovery and rebuilding.
- New Glenn is Blue Origin's heavy-lift rocket intended to expand commercial launch capacity, so any delay could affect launch schedules and the company's commitments to NASA while investigators work to identify the technical cause.