Daily Mail: Kaboom! The moment Elon Musk's SpaceX rocket EXPLODED on the launch pad and destroyed Facebook's $200m internet satellite
* Unmanned SpaceX rocket was due to launch on Saturday with Facebook's first communications satellite
* The rocket exploded during a static fire test early Thursday at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
* There were no personal injuries in the blast, however, the rocket and payload were completely destroyed
* Buildings several miles away shook from the blast, and multiple explosions continued for several minutes
* NASA spokesman Al Feinberg said emergency personnel were monitoring the situation
* The air quality is being monitored by officials for any potential threats to employees
* Facebook's Amos-6 satellite would have widened Internet access across Africa including 14 countries
* Mark Zuckerberg wrote about the explosion, confirming that the company's satellite was destroyed and said he was 'deeply disappointed'
* SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said: 'Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon'
* SpaceX has managed to land four rockets from space back on Earth
This is the dramatic moment the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket suffered a catastrophic explosion on the Cape Canaveral launch pad during a routine pre-launch check on Thursday morning.
The blast, which shook buildings and windows miles away, occurred shortly after 9am and destroyed Facebook's $200million Amos-6 satellite that was set to launch on Saturday morning aboard the reusable rocket.
Billionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the cause of the massive blast - which caused no injuries - is still unknown as the accident throws into question the future of his program of subcontracting his 'reusable' and 'recycled' rockets to NASA.
The satellite would have opened up free internet to more than 14 countries in Africa to serve the most populated areas more efficiently.
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More News On Today's SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Explosion
Explosion rocks SpaceX launch pad in Florida during test -- AP
Rocket explodes on launch pad in blow to Elon Musk's SpaceX -- Reuters
SpaceX: explosions rock launch site in Florida during testing -- The Guardian
SpaceX rocket explodes at Cape Canaveral ahead of launch -- BBC
SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Explodes During Tests -- Defense News
SpaceX rocket EXPLODES at Cape Canaveral space centre – blowing up Facebook’s £150MILLION internet satellite -- The SUN
SpaceX's Falcon 9 explodes on Florida launch pad during rocket test preparations -- The Verge
Facebook satellite lost in SpaceX explosion at Cape Canaveral (VIDEO) -- RT
Rocket Explosion Leaves Facebook’s Internet Initiative Grounded -- WSJ
SpaceX rocket explodes during Cape Canaveral test fire -- Al Jazeera
Mark Zuckerberg 'deeply disappointed' by loss of $200m satellite that would have beamed internet across Africa in SpaceX explosion - but says Facebook's drones could take its place -- Daily Mail
What SpaceX’s Rocket Explosion Means for Elon Musk -- Kevin Kelleher, Time
Musk's bad day: Explosion + stock drops by Tesla, SolarCity = $390 million loss -- CNBC
Rocket explosion is blow to SpaceX, Facebook and others -- DW
Here’s what we know about the SpaceX explosion -- Tech Crunch
1 comment:
Conducting static engine tests with payload included........
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