SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket Explodes In Cape Canaveral During Pre-Launch Test

SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exploded in Cape Canaveral, Florida in a pre-launch test this morning. It is reported that the explosions shook the nearby buildings and the emergency crews running to the launch pad. No one is reported injured.

The spacecraft is scheduled to launch this coming Saturday to take AMOS-6 communications satellite to provide internet connectivity to 14 African countries. The satellite is a partnership between Facebook and France's Eutelsat, according to Engadget.

SpaceX Rocket Explosion Sets Back Facebook's Internet Expansion in Africa https://t.co/egfvFmM12C #WIRED

— Jeff Robinson (@contrariansmind) September 2, 2016

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg, who is now in Africa, said that he was deeply disappointed that the communications satellite had been destroyed. He further said they remain committed to their mission of connecting everyone, and they will keep working until everyone has the chances this satellite would have provided.

Statement on this morning's anomaly pic.twitter.com/3Xm2bRMS7T — SpaceX (@SpaceX) September 1, 2016

Meanwhile, the SpaceX explained that in a standard pre-launch static fire test for the AMOS-6 mission, there was an anomaly at SpaceX's Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40 causing in loss of the vehicle. They further explained that the anomaly began around the upper stage oxygen tank and occurred during propellant loading of the vehicle.

It says in a report by BBC News, the rocket's payload was an Israeli-built communications satellite for Facebook. An Israeli space official said that loss of the AMOS-satellite cost over $200 million and owned by Spacecom. They considered it a major setback to the industry. "As far as the Israeli communications satellite industry is concerned, this is a very severe blow which could place the future of the industry in doubt if it is not dragged out of the mud," said the chairman of the Israel Space Agency, Isaac Ben-Israel.