A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket exploded during a static test fire at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on May 28, 2026, creating a visible orange hue across parts of Brevard County. The incident occurred at Launch Complex 36, about 10 miles from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. Residents along U.S. 1 in Rockledge and near Merritt Island reported seeing the night sky turn orange for about a minute around 9 p.m. ET before returning to normal. Social media quickly filled with videos and photos of the fiery explosion, prompting questions about the cause and safety concerns. Blue Origin called the event an 'anomaly' during a hot fire test as the company prepares for an upcoming launch. No injuries were reported. Jeff Bezos said Blue Origin will investigate the explosion, assess damage and 'rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying.' This marks the second major setback for Blue Origin in less than two months, following an earlier failure during a New Glenn test flight in April. The company has not yet disclosed the extent of the damage or what caused the explosion. A SpaceX Falcon 9 launched from the same area about 12 hours later, but the orange sky phenomenon was directly linked to the Blue Origin incident. Local officials said no emergency alerts were issued, and there were no reports of property damage from the explosion. Bezos' statement emphasized the company's commitment to continuing operations despite the setback. The incident highlights the risks involved in rocket testing at the Space Coast, where multiple companies conduct launches and tests regularly.