Was Intended To Carry Israeli Satellite To Orbit This Weekend

Updated 1608 ET 090116: SpaceX posted this information on its website concerning the launch pad accident Thursday morning.

"At approximately 9:07 am ET, during 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 resulting in loss of the vehicle.

The anomaly originated around the upper stage oxygen tank and occurred during propellant loading of the vehicle. Per standard operating procedure, all personnel were clear of the pad and there were no injuries.

We are continuing to review the data to identify the root cause. Additional updates will be provided as they become available.”

Updated 1121 ET, 090116: Details are still pretty thin, but there has been an explosion this morning during the prelaunch test of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at Cape Canaveral AFS.

The routine pre-flight test of the rocket took place at Space Launch Complex 40 at approximately 0907 local time. The launch was scheduled to boost a $200 million Israeli Amos-6 telecommunications satellite into orbit this weekend. Buildings several miles away shook as the result of the powerful explosion, and a plume of dark smoke spread over the cape. A Cape Canaveral official said that the pad was clear when the explosion occurred and SpaceX has confirmed that no injuries occurred.

An official statement released a few minutes ago stated that, "SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today's standard prelaunch static fire test, there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload. Per standard procedures, the pad was clear and there were no injuries."

Some initial statements suggest that the accident may have been caused by a launch pad anomaly and may not be sourced to the launch vehicle itself... but since this accident occurred on the ground, all the evidence is at hand -- which will aid the required investigation a great deal. SpaceX has conducted over 2 dozen launches from the Cape facility since 2010. As we all know, folks, space is hard...

We'll update this story as we get more information.

(NASA image)

FMI: www.spacex.com