It had been undergoing the test as part of the NG-4 mission, which is set to launch Amazon satellites into space in a crossover between two of Mr Bezos’s best-known companies.

But New Glenn dramatically blew up on the ground, sending a visible shockwave out across the complex and a towering mushroom cloud into the sky.

One witness, Sam Bates, said on social media: “I was walking my dog and saw a giant flash of orange from East Orlando.”

Further footage from the aftermath of the blast appeared to show the launch complex’s right-hand lightning protection system tower had toppled over entirely.

WATCH THE CLIP ABOVE FOR MORE