Amazon founder Jeff Bezos's space company has blasted its first rocket into orbit in a bid to challenge the dominance of Elon Musk's SpaceX. The New Glenn rocket launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida at 02:02 local time (07:02 GMT).

Jeff Bezos, the second richest man in the world, successfully blasted off a 320-foot-tall rocket ship made by his Blue Origin company from Cape Canaveral, Florida, in the early hours of the morning. It made the company the first to successfully reach orbit on its first launch of an orbital-class rocket.

Jeff Bezos is preparing to launch a satellite broadband service in Britain in a boost to his challenge to rival space rocket billionaire Elon Musk.

With Elon Musk ’s influence on President-elect Donald Trump felt everywhere and growing, Steve Bannon emerges as Musk’s loudest critic in Trump World.

Many influential business leaders have been attempting to catch Trump’s ear before he returns to office. It was revealed earlier Friday that Musk is set to speak at Trump’s pre-inauguration rally in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, alongside Hulk Hogan and Dana White.

The high-profile names who could potentially buy TikTok following the Supreme Court's decision to uphold the law banning the platform in the US.

Jensen Huang is expected to miss the ceremony, while Apple’s Tim Cook, Amazon’s Jeff Bezos and Tesla’s Elon Musk are attending.

Despite the failure, Elon Musk appeared to see the bright side, posting: "Success is uncertain, but entertainment is guaranteed!"

Retired wrestler Hulk Hogan and UFC CEO Dana White are among speakers for Trump rally one day before inauguration

On Monday, Trump will be sworn in as the 47th US president, making his vows over his mother’s Bible and another used by Abraham Lincoln in 1861. The ceremony at the US Capitol will feature country music singers Carrie Underwood and Lee Greenwood, who sells a $59.99 Bible endorsed by the president-elect.