Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded Thursday evening during a ground test ahead of a forthcoming launch, destroying the vehicle and raising new questions about the company's timeline for supporting NASA's Artemis program.

Video footage shows fire engulf the rocket, on the launchpad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station's Launch Complex 36, at about 9 p.m. It explodes moments later, producing a massive fireball that appears to completely obliterate the pad and everything on it. The blast shook homes in nearby Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach, and residents turned to social media as the orange fireball lit up the coast — Launch Complex 36 is visible from the beach.

"We experienced an anomaly during today's hotfire test. All personnel have been accounted for. We will provide updates as we learn more," Blue Origin posted on social media.…