A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket just exploded at Cape Canaveral

SpaceX has confirmed that there were no personal injuries in the blast but the rocket and payload were destroyed.

According to numerous eyewitness reports, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket just exploded during a test on a launch pad at Cape Canaveral. This rocket was set to launch on Saturday, September 3 on a mission to deliver Facebook’s first satellite to orbit.

This rocket was scheduled to launch the Amos-6 communication satellite, which among other functions included the capabilities for Facebook to spot-beam broadband for Facebook’s Internet.org initiative. Facebook and France-based satellite provider Eutelsat spent $95 million for a five year lease on the satellite’s Ka-band communication array.

The local county emergency management office states there is no threat to the general public in the surrounding areas.