A supply rocket carrying cargo and experiments to the ISS exploded shortly after liftoff. NASA and Orbital Sciences (the company operating the rocket) have not released any information about what may have caused the incident, pending further investigation.
The mission was unmanned, and all personnel are safe and accounted for. The extent of the damage to the launch facility has not yet been determined.
Phil Plait, author of the Bad Astronomy blog speculates that the 60s-70s era refurbished Russian engines the vehicle used will come under heavy scrutiny.
(Score: 1) by SDRefugee on Thursday October 30 2014, @11:42AM
Maybe Orbital Sciences needs to see about buying Falcon9 boosters from SpaceX. :-) Using old recycled designs from the 60s is just asking for fireworks like this... I was just surprised it took this long for a "fireworks show" from these guys.. SpaceX has the ISS commercial resupply in the bag!!!
America should be proud of Edward Snowden, the hero, whether they know it or not..