Blue Origin's giant New Glenn rocket blasted off from Florida early Thursday morning on its first mission to space, an ...

Australian airline Qantas delayed some flights by up to six hours to avoid potential rocket debris over the Indian Ocean.

All seven main engines fired at liftoff as the rocket blazed through the predawn sky to the delight of spectators lining nearby beaches.

The rocket took off at 2:03 a.m. and reached orbit 13 minutes later, marking Blue Origin's first successful flight.

The successful flight to orbit of the Amazon founder’s powerful rocket suggests it could grow into a credible competitor with Elon Musk’s SpaceX.