Billionaire SpaceX owner Elon Musk has delivered a crushing verdict on Jeff Bezos' most recent space disaster - the explosion of his Blue Origin New Glenn rocket.

Blue Origin's New Glenn was reportedly carrying a static fire test when it exploded at the Launch Complex 36 of the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.

Taking to his social media platform X, Musk simply said: " Most unfortunate. Rockets are hard."

Blue Origin issued a statement in the wake of today's explosion.

A spokesperson said, via a post on social media: "We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more."

The explosion occurred shortly after 9pm local time on Thursday, May 28. Footage circulating online shows a detonation at the base of the rocket, with smoke rapidly travelling up the shaft before a second blast erupts near the pointed nose of the spacecraft. The entire vehicle is then engulfed in a large, bright yellow fireball.

Posting on X, Jeff Bezos said: "All personnel are accounted for and safe. It’s too early to know the root cause but we’re already working to find it. Very rough day, but we’ll rebuild whatever needs rebuilding and get back to flying. It’s worth it."

NASA has not yet issued a statement online or on X, which is typically standard practice following immediate breaking incidents.

In footage circulating online, a detonation can be seen at the base of the rocket, with smoke then travelling up the shaft before a second explosion erupts near the pointed tip of the spacecraft. The entire vessel is subsequently engulfed in a large, bright yellow plume of flame.

NASA has not yet issued a statement online or on social media platform X, which is standard protocol following breaking incidents.

However, House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology subcommittee chair Mike Haridopolos has posted a statement on X, saying: “I’ve already spoken with @NASAAdmin Jared Isaacman regarding the explosion of Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket tonight at Kennedy Space Center.

"I am grateful there were no reported injuries and thankful for the first responders, engineers, and launch crews who acted quickly. Praying for Florida’s Space Coast and everyone involved.”