SpaceX loses rocket and Facebook satellite

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Pigeon
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Joined: Thu Mar 31, 2011 3:00 pm

SpaceX loses rocket and Facebook satellite

Post by Pigeon » Thu Sep 01, 2016 7:36 pm

SpaceX - Static Fire Anomaly - AMOS-6 - 09-01-2016

A SpaceX rocket exploded at its Cape Canaveral launch pad Thursday morning, destroying the rocket and the satellite it was due to launch on Saturday.

SpaceX said there were no injuries as a result of the explosion, which it described as an "anomaly." SpaceX CEO Elon Musk tweeted that the explosion happened while the rocket was being fueled, but that the cause of the blast is still unknown.

Related: SpaceX to launch recycled rocket for a discounted price

The rocket was carrying a satellite to be used by Facebook (FB, Tech30) to bring internet access to Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.

Facebook is in a partnership with French satellite firm Eutelsat Communications. The satellite, called Amos 6, was owned by Israeli company Spacecom.


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Royal
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Joined: Mon Apr 11, 2011 5:55 pm

Re: SpaceX loses rocket and Facebook satellite

Post by Royal » Sat Sep 03, 2016 8:16 am

Gnarly.

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