A test of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Thursday in Cape Canaveral, Florida ended in an explosion on the launch pad. The damage has claimed the rocket and its payload.
Explosion at SpaceX launch site at Cape Canaveral: media reports https://t.co/mZVYFftK0Q pic.twitter.com/tDaYihyjqg
— Reuters Tech News (@ReutersTech) September 1, 2016
The rocket was set to launch on Saturday, September 3, 2016. Its mission was to deliver an AMOS-6 communication satellite belonging to Facebook. The satellite was part of Facebook’s Internet.org initiative and would be used to deliver internet to the developing world.
For anyone who wondered why launch prep takes weeks & why no one is allowed near, this is why #Falcon9 #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/ukCPmAhOhD
— SEND KISSINGER TO THE HAGUE (@2dogsinacoat) September 1, 2016
https://twitter.com/NASASpaceflight/status/771339740918452225
The AMOS-6 satellite, which reportedly was set to be used to provide internet connectivity to rural parts of sub-Saharan Africa, was on board the Falcon 9 rocket at the time of the test and was destroyed in the explosion.
“SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today’s standard pre-launch static fire test, there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload, a SpaceX spokesperson told the Daily Dot. “Per standard procedure, the pad was clear and there were no injuries.”
Reports on social media indicate the blast was noticeable, even from a distance. A Twitter user reported feeling his work building shake in the wake of the explosion. Kerrin Jeromin, the meteorologist for CBS affiliate station WPEC, reported the smoke plume from the explosion could be seen on radar.
Significant non-precipitation plume showing up on radar following incident at Cape Canaveral #CapeCanaveral #SpaceX pic.twitter.com/QFSbVsjbw5
— Kerrin Jeromin (@KerrinJeromin) September 1, 2016
A Facebook spokesperson told the Daily Dot, “We are disappointed by the loss but remain committed to our mission of connecting people to the Internet around the world.”
H/T TechCrunch