UPDATE: Antares Rocket Explodes on NASA Launchpad Moments After Liftoff

By Greg Hambrick

Photo: Twitter screenshot

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.

Calling it a “catastrophic anomaly,” NASA officials could be heard over thestreaming video at NASA TV over images of the smokey scene, noting an accident 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.