SpaceX, short for Space Exploration Technologies Corporation, was running a routine static fire test on the Falcon 9 rocket in the early morning of September 1 in Cape Canaveral, Florida when it suddenly burst into flames.
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In a blast that shook buildings several miles in the distance, Mark Zuckerberg’s hopes of spreading internet access to greater areas of the planet may have suffered a major blow.
A spokesman for Cape Canaveral Air Force Station said there was a “significant” explosion just after 10 a.m. local time at Launch Complex 40, which is leased by SpaceX.
This marks the fourth failure this year for the Falcon 9 rocket, which is created to transport cargo and unmanned space craft such as SpaceX’s Dragon into Earth orbit. On Tuesday, the company signed its first customer for a recycled rocket mission. Refresh this page for updates.
The Israeli communications satellite was SpaceX’s heaviest payload to date at 12,125 pounds (5,500 kilograms), according to the Space Flight Insider website. The rocket was still standing, although the top third or so was clearly bent over.
Facebook had planned for the satellite to provide internet coverage to parts of sub-Saharan Africa through its Internet.org initiative. Moments later, the payload fairing plunged to the ground, followed by more explosions.
Pictures from the launch site showed a plume of black smoke rising into the sky.
An unmanned SpaceX rocket has exploded during a routine test at Cape Canaveral in Florida.
Nasa said Kennedy emergency staff were on standby and personnel were monitoring the air for any toxic fumes.
SpaceX is leasing the pad from the Air Force for its Falcon launches.
NASA later put out a statement, saying the space agency remains confident in its commercial partners, SpaceX included. SpaceX is one of two companies making deliveries.
That launchpad is used by SpaceX to launch rockets that carry supplies to the International Space Station as well as satellites.
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SpaceX is a private company, founded by Elon Musk, that “designs, manufactures and launches advanced rockets and spacecraft”. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank.
