Blue Origin's New Glenn explosion shows infrasound can detect rocket accidents from up to 1,700 kilometers away

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded during a static test fire in May 2026, generating infrasound signals that were detected by a network of regional infrasound stations. The study, published in The Seismic Record, confirmed the explosion's time and location, and estimated its energy yield as 0.131 kilotons of TNT. The infrasound data was collected from 36 stations, some up to 1,700 kilometers away from the blast site. The research highlights how infrasound can detect rocket accidents from great distances, offering a new method for monitoring space launches. The study also provides insights into the infrasound signals produced by liquid oxygen and liquid methane propellants, which are increasingly used in heavy-lift rockets. The findings suggest that infrasound is a valuable tool for detecting energetic events, including potential accidents, and can help in understanding the behavior of cryogenic fuels. The research team back-projected data from the stations to confirm the explosion's timing and location, and analyzed the signals to estimate the blast's energy. The results show that infrasound can detect various impulsive events, including meteoroids, ocean waves, and industrial accidents, making it a versatile tool for monitoring space launches and other energetic events.

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