Blue Origin’s ambitious New Glenn program has suffered a major setback after the company’s rocket exploded during a hotfire test on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral, Florida. The powerful blast sent flames and smoke high into the sky, with nearby residents reporting shaking homes and a bright orange glow briefly lighting up the area. Blue Origin later confirmed a “test anomaly” during the New Glenn hotfire operation and said all personnel were accounted for and safe, with no injuries reported. The explosion marks another difficult moment for Jeff Bezos’ space company, which has been working to bring the heavy-lift New Glenn rocket into full operation. Earlier technical challenges, including thermal engine concerns, had already impacted the program’s progress. WATCH

Axiom Mission 4 marks a historic milestone as Indian Air Force Group Captain Shubhanshu Shukla becomes the second Indian national to travel to space after 40 years. Launched aboard a SpaceX Dragon spacecraft, the Ax-4 mission includes astronauts from India, Poland, and Hungary — all visiting the ISS for the first time. As a mission pilot, Shukla plays a key role in the 14-day research-driven mission. From cutting-edge microgravity experiments to India’s rising presence in global space exploration, here’s all about the Axiom 4 mission.