[zephyr]

As you may have heard, an Orbital Sciences Corporation Antares rocket loaded with supplies for the International Space Station exploded on liftoff. It was an evening launch from the NASA facility on Wallops Island, Virginia and watched by millions. NASA statement at this link. This original post has been edited. Here's the official video: This amateur video is even more exciting in my opinion. Taken by some onlookers a few miles away. Really captures the sound very well. Definitely upset the little ones. ~z

[MtnGoat]

I love the spirally bit which flies off into the night in the first vid. If you're gonna waste millions of bucks, it might as well be good, and it was. I also like the second one, it really gives a sense of the scale...they're obviously a long ways from the pad and the bang is really loud.

[gb]

Anybody know if this was a NASA launch or a private launch for NASA? I hope not the latter because of the expense and ramifications.

[Matt]

It was a contracted flight with Orbital Science Corporation's Antares rocket.

[zephyr]

[zephyr]

Panic at the press stand. These guys were a little close for comfort. Luckily they weren't directly downwind. ~z .

[Daryl]

Not good news for our space program... thankfully no one was hurt.

[Backpacker Joe]

NASA is a shell of what it once was. They have nearly no mission. They should simply dismantle the agency. They certainly dont want to fund it. {politics removed by moderator}

[Bedivere]

What's with people crying and freaking out and the constant stream of "oh God"? It was un-manned, no one died. There's a reason they launch rockets way out in the middle of nowhere and keep everyone a safe distance away - this kind of thing happens from time to time. And that cameraman needs to learn how to use the zoom function on his camera. Was he an actual newsman or just a regular citizen? If a pro, he really should know better. Edit: Politics are a no-no around here...

[Chico]

How embarrassing for the US of A. The Russians delivered 300 tons to the space station with no problem. And they learned from us after we learned from the Germans.

[Chico]

[pnw.hiker]

The Antares rocket is new. Most new launchers have a failure or two. Unfortunately, if it was the engine that failed (as appeared) the fix could take a while. Antares engines were made in the USSR in the 70's and sat in storage for decades. They aren't manufactured any more. So if the problem was the age of the engines leading to stress corrosion cracking, for example, it might require switching to a different engine. Good news is Orbital had insurance on the flight, and the pad isn't badly damaged.

[gb]

[AR]

Oh for the love of Pete. As observed these rockets carry as much energy as a small nuclear bomb. Getting these rockets to work will and always has been a gamble. Each launch is a learning experience and not a waste regardless of the outcome.

[Bedivere]