A Blue Origin rocket has exploded in a fireball during a late-night launchpad test, shaking nearby homes and sparking an investigation. The incident occurred at Blue Origin's headquarters in Texas, US, on a private test site.
The explosion was seen by multiple witnesses, who reported feeling a strong shockwave from the blast. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries or fatalities.
The launchpad test was a routine procedure, and it is not clear what caused the rocket to malfunction. Blue Origin has released a statement confirming the incident and stating that an investigation is underway.
The company, founded by billionaire Jeff Bezos, has a history of conducting launch tests in the US. Blue Origin has been developing a new heavy-lift launch vehicle, the New Glenn, which is expected to be capable of carrying payloads to low Earth orbit.
Meanwhile, back in the UK, the Met Office has issued several weather warnings for the coming days. In England, a yellow weather warning for strong winds has been issued for the North West, with gusts of up to 60mph expected. In Scotland, a yellow weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for the Highlands, with up to 20mm of rainfall expected. In Wales, a yellow weather warning for strong winds has been issued for the South West, with gusts of up to 50mph expected. In Northern Ireland, a yellow weather warning for heavy rain has been issued for the entire region, with up to 20mm of rainfall expected.
The Met Office has urged people to check the latest weather forecast and warnings before heading outdoors. Residents are advised to secure any loose outdoor items and to be aware of the risk of power outages due to strong winds.