Unmanned NASA Rocket Explodes in Virginia
The Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket, with the Cygnus spacecraft onboard suffers a catastrophic anomaly moments after launch. NASA/AP
The failed launch came just one day after NASA scrubbed an earlier scheduled launch due to a stray boat encroaching into the rocket's safety range.
The Antares Rocket, an unmanned NASA-contracted rocket launched from Wallops Island, Va., exploded early Tuesday night just after lifting off.
Here's video of what happened:
It was not immediately clear what caused the explosion. The failed launch came just one day after NASA scrubbed an earlier scheduled launch due to a stray boat encroaching into the rocket's safety range.
The rocket, built and launched by Orbital Sciences Corporation, was headed to the International Space Station. NBC reports that this was to be Orbital Sciences' third official trip to ISS for NASA. The company has a $1.9 billion contract for eight delivery missions with the space agency.
The rocket was intended to deliver about 5,000 pounds of supplies to the space station. NASA's mission control center said there were no injuries and that all personnel had been accounted for following the explosion.
Orbital is calling the incident a "vehicle anomaly."
There has been a vehicle anomaly. We will update as soon as we are able.
— Orbital Sciences (@OrbitalSciences) October 28, 2014Rep. Andy Harris of Maryland had staff watching the launch.
A few of my staff were @NASA_Wallops observing the launch. Thankfully no one on the ground appears to be injured.
— Rep. Andy Harris, MD (@RepAndyHarrisMD) October 28, 2014This story is breaking and will be updated.