During a so-called hot-fire test in the American state of Florida, an “anomaly” occurred, Blue Origin wrote on X. A hot-fire test is a kind of dress rehearsal in which all systems are run through while the missile is anchored.
On images on social media Flames can be seen at the base of the New Glenn rocket, which quickly grow higher, after which the rocket explodes.
Blue Origin has spent billions of dollars and about a decade developing New Glenn, a 29-story rocket with a reusable first stage, in an effort to compete with SpaceX’s Falcon and Starship.
Blue Origin boss Jeff Bezos indicated shortly after the explosion that the project had by no means come to an end due to the incident. “It is still too early to determine the exact cause, but we are already working on it. It was a tough day, but we will rebuild everything that needs to be repaired and be able to fly again. It’s worth it,” the billionaire said on X.
