Blue Origin rocket explosion rocks Florida’s Space Coast

A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded Thursday in Brevard County, Florida, filling the night sky with fire along Florida’s Space Coast. A spokesperson for the U.S. Space Force confirmed the rocket exploded at 9 p.m. at Space Launch Complex 36 during a hotfire test, which Blue Origin itself described earlier on social media.”We experienced an anomaly during today’s hotfire test,” Blue Origin’s post states. “All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more.” Video below: Another look at the explosionBlue Origin founder Jeff Bezos said on social media that work is underway to determine the root cause of the explosion.The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office said in a statement it had received info “that there was a failure of the test firing and an explosion,” adding preliminary reports show no injuries. Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket was recently transported to Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station ahead of the planned Leo New Glenn 1 launch.Congressman Mike Haridopolos, R-Brevard County, said on social media that he had spoken with NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman and is grateful no injuries were reported.Rep. Haridopolos is the chairman of the House Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics.Expert weighs inSpace expert Ken Kremer joined Orlando sister station WESH to discuss the explosion.”They were loading propellant into the rocket, and they started a static fire test, which is not a launch; the rocket is sitting on the pad, and they want to ignite the engines for several seconds to test them all out and make sure everything will work when they do the launch in the next few weeks. That was the plan,” he said.Both SpaceX and United Launch Alliance are scheduled to launch Falcon 9 and Atlas V rockets, respectively, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Friday.Space Launch Delta 45 officials warned beachgoers to report debris sightings by calling 911.”Debris from the anomaly could wash ashore along publicly accessible areas over the coming days or weeks, it is critical that this debris is reported to 911 for proper removal and mitigation. Launch vehicle debris is potentially hazardous, direct contact poses a risk to personal health and welfare,” the statement said.This is a developing story. Check back for updates.