NASA Confirms A Rocket Bound For ISS Exploded After Takeoff [Breaking]
NASA has confirmed that an unmanned Antares rocket bound for the International Space Station with needed supplies exploded seconds after lifting off the launch pad in Virginia. The rocket disintegrated off the launchpad, and there has been no information as to the cause.
NASA tweeted images of the Antares rocket minutes before the launch, and according to reports, the weather was fine and there were no other extenuating circumstances that could have affected lift off.
We’re 4 minutes from launching #Antares to @Space_Station. #Cygnus on internal power. Watch: http://t.co/6hggfUYmIS pic.twitter.com/lNvDCcIKaO
— NASA (@NASA) October 28, 2014
The Antares rocket was loaded with supplies for the International Space Station. Its engines ignited for liftoff at 6:22 pm, EST and exploded a few seconds later. Video of the launch shows the rocket lift off and then exploding into a bright ball of orange flame. As previously stated, the rocket was unmanned.
According to a report on Buzzfeed, launch technicians described the launch of the Antares rocket as “flawless” as it lifted off the pad. It may be days or even weeks until officials can pinpoint what exactly went wrong with the launch.
The Antares rocket disaster is the latest incident in NASA’s long-time space program. While this launch was unmanned, there have been two previous incidents that lead to loss of life when the space shuttles Challenger and Columbia both exploded; the Challenger in 1986, shortly after launch, killing all seven astronauts on board, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher in space, and the Columbia in 2003, also with a seven person crew as it re-entered our atmosphere. In 1967, Virgil “Gus” Grissom, one of the original Mercury astronauts, Ed White and Roger Chafee were killed in a fire that occurred during a test of the Apollo capsule.
There is no information about what supplies were on board the Antares rocket bound for the International Space Station. Recent images taken from work outside of the ISS possibly showed a UFO, as reported on the Inquisitr. However, there is no implied correlation between the supposed UFO and today’s explosion.
Even with these setbacks and today’s tragedy in Virginia, NASA continues to work for the betterment of all mankind. We salute the hard working men and women who are dedicated to the ongoing exploration of our universe.
“A blade of grass is a commonplace on Earth; it would be a miracle on Mars. Our descendants on Mars will know the value of a patch of green. And if a blade of grass is priceless, what is the value of a human being?”
? Carl Sagan, Pale Blue Dot: A Vision of the Human Future in Space
