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.
Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who confirmed that the company's satellite was destroyed in the huge blast, called it 'deeply disappointing,' as he is currently visiting several countries on the continent and likely would have marked the occasion of the satellite launch there had it been successful.
The mishap dealt a severe blow to SpaceX, still scrambling to catch up with satellite deliveries following a launch accident last year. It's also a setback for NASA, which has been counting on the private company to keep the International Space Station stocked with supplies and, ultimately, astronauts.
Thursday, September 01, 2016
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