The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket experienced an explosion during a test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Thursday night. The incident occurred during an engine-firing test, ahead of a planned satellite launch. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Jeff Bezos, founder of Blue Origin, responded by stating, “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.” The New Glenn had previously faced challenges, including a grounding in April due to an engine failure that left a satellite in the incorrect orbit.

The rocket’s explosion briefly lit the sky orange and shook homes in nearby areas such as Cocoa Beach. Residents quickly took to social media to inquire about the event, as photos of the fiery scene circulated online.

Emergency crews were present for over an hour following the explosion. Despite the incident, officials assured there were no threats from fumes or other hazards. Upcoming launches from other companies at different pads will remain unaffected.

Blue Origin has ambitious plans for the New Glenn, intending to use it for launching lunar landers for NASA’s Artemis program. Just this week, NASA awarded Blue Origin a significant contract for launching moon buggies in the coming years.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk conveyed his condolences to Blue Origin, expressing hope for a swift recovery. The New Glenn, named after astronaut John Glenn, is larger and more powerful compared to Blue Origin’s New Shepard rockets.