BREAKING: Rocket Explodes on NASA Launchpad Moments After Liftoff

By Greg Hambrick, Patch Editor

An Orbital Science cargo rocket set to launch 5,000 pounds of supplies and experiments to the International Space Station exploded on the launchpad Tuesday into a huge ball of flame that destroyed nearby property and vehicles.

The flight was to be unmanned, and early reports said nobody on the ground was injured.

The Antares rocket exploded just moments after liftoff at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on the Virginia coast.Calling it a “catastrophic anomaly,”

NASA officials could be heard over the streaming video at NASA TV as live images played of the smokey scene. They noted the accident occurred six seconds after liftoff.

It appears the damage is limited to the facility, according to the report. There was no indication that personnel were injured, but there was significant property damage and vehicle damage.

On Twitter, Orbital Science referred to the incident as a ”vehicle anomaly” shortly after the explosion.