Blue Origin rocket explosion: Aerial views show launchpad, aftermath

BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. —

WESH 2 News' Chopper 2 was over the site of Thursday night's rocket explosion on the Space Coast, where charred pieces could be seen around the launchpad.

The Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded in Brevard County, 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.

Blue Origin statement

"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."

Blue Origin founder Jeff Bezos said on social media that work is underway to determine the root cause of the explosion.

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.

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