Blue Origin’s 321-foot rocket explodes at launch pad, setback in bid to outdo SpaceX

Blue Origin’s 321-foot New Glenn rocket exploded during an engine-firing ground test at Cape Canaveral, creating a large fireball but causing no injuries.

The company says it is investigating the cause, marking another setback after the rocket had already been grounded following a prior flight problem.

The failure is a significant delay for Blue Origin’s heavy-lift program as it tries to prove New Glenn can compete with SpaceX.

It also affects broader plans tied to NASA missions, including future lunar work under the Artemis program.