Update: SpaceX has confirmed that there were no personnel injuries in the blast but the rocket and payload were destroyed.
According to numerous eyewitness reports, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket just exploded during a test on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral. This rocket was set to launch on Saturday, Sept. 3 on a mission to deliver Facebook’s first satellite to orbit.
This rocket was scheduled to launch the Amos-6 communication satellite, which among other functions included the capabilities for Facebook to spot-beam broadband for Facebook’s Internet.org initiative. Facebook and France-based satellite provider Eutelsat spent $95 million for a five-year lease on the satellite’s Ka-band communication array.
“We are disappointed by the loss but remain committed to our mission of connecting people to the Internet around the world,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement.
The local county emergency management office states there is no threat to the general public in the surrounding areas.
Developing…
Update on this morning's anomaly pic.twitter.com/1ogCMPCY44
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 1, 2016
Statement on this morning's anomaly pic.twitter.com/3Xm2bRMS7T
— SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 1, 2016
Pic of damage to launch tower from @SpaceX test firing explosion pic.twitter.com/ZPCiQ0p94B
— Todd Harrison (@ToddHarrisonDC) September 1, 2016
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
https://twitter.com/TigernBear/status/771335016198639616
https://twitter.com/TraumahawkTV/status/771334973211148288
https://twitter.com/ErinHead_HIM/status/771335928778465280/photo/1
#Breaking| #SpaceX Falcon 9 explodes at launch site at Cape Canaveral, #Florida.
(pic via @Dehreeus ) pic.twitter.com/YzaeRkXuAG— SafetyPin-Daily (@SafetyPinDaily) September 1, 2016
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
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