Blue Origin rocket explosion sent sound waves 1,000 miles across the US, report finds
Live Science · 2026-09-04
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket violently exploded on May 29 during a prelaunch test at Florida's Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending ultra-low-frequency sound waves more than 1,000 miles across the U.S. to Texas. Researchers analyzing infrasound data from 36 listening stations estimate the blast had the equivalent power of 0.131 kilotons of TNT, which is slightly higher than the initial explosion that destroyed the Chernobyl nuclear reactor in 1986. The fiery failure, believed to be caused by a faulty oxygen valve according to Blue Origin, was one of the most powerful prelaunch explosions ever seen, causing damage to the launchpad that could take at least a year to fix and potentially delaying NASA's proposed moon base. Although no one was hurt, thousands of locals within 135 miles reported hearing a thunderous boom from the resulting shockwave.