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Nasa SpaceX launch to International Space Station sees rocket explode Nasa SpaceX International Space Station launch sees rocket explode
(about 1 hour later)
Nasa said on Sunday morning that “something went wrong” with the launch of a SpaceX supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and confirmed that “the vehicle has broken up”.Nasa said on Sunday morning that “something went wrong” with the launch of a SpaceX supply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), and confirmed that “the vehicle has broken up”.
A video posted to Instagram appeared to show the vehicle exploding. Reports said pieces could be seen falling into the Atlantic.A video posted to Instagram appeared to show the vehicle exploding. Reports said pieces could be seen falling into the Atlantic.
In a statement, Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said: “We are disappointed in the loss of the latest SpaceX cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station. However, the astronauts are safe aboard the station and have sufficient supplies for the next several months.
“We will work closely with SpaceX to understand what happened, fix the problem and return to flight.”
Cargo on the umanned Dragon SpX-7 spacecraft, which was powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, included food and care packages, systems hardware, “science materials”, computer resources and spacewalking equipment. It also carried a docking adaptor for the station as part of operations to prepare for future commercial missions.Cargo on the umanned Dragon SpX-7 spacecraft, which was powered by a Falcon 9 rocket, included food and care packages, systems hardware, “science materials”, computer resources and spacewalking equipment. It also carried a docking adaptor for the station as part of operations to prepare for future commercial missions.
At the end of a five-week mission the rocket was due to return 675kg of goods to earth.At the end of a five-week mission the rocket was due to return 675kg of goods to earth.
On Sunday morning, ISS astronaut Scott Kelly tweeted: “Watched #Dragon launch from @space_station Sadly failed Space is hard Teams assess below @NASAKennedy #YearInSpace”. “The commercial cargo programme was designed to accommodate loss of cargo vehicles”, Bolden added. “We will continue operation of the station in a safe and effective way as we continue to use it as our test bed for preparing for longer duration missions farther into the solar system.”
The three ISS residents are in no immediate trouble. Late last week, Nasa’s space station programme manager, Mike Suffredini, said the outpost had enough supplies to make it to October or so. Shortly after the explosion, ISS astronaut Scott Kelly tweeted: “Watched #Dragon launch from @space_station Sadly failed Space is hard Teams assess below @NASAKennedy #YearInSpace”.
SpaceX is owned and operated by the technology entrepreneur Elon Musk. He confirmed the news on Twitter, saying: “Falcon 9 experienced a problem shortly before first stage shutdown. Will provide more info as soon as we review the data.” SpaceX is owned and operated by the technology entrepreneur Elon Musk. On Twitter, he said: “Falcon 9 experienced a problem shortly before first stage shutdown. Will provide more info as soon as we review the data.”
The company made no immediate further comment. The company made no immediate further comment, other than to say that the initial part of the liftoff went well, until the vehicle went supersonic.
At 10.22am on Sunday, Nasa tweeted a picture of the launch of the rocket with the traditional phrase: “We have liftoff.”
And we have liftoff of @SpaceX #ISScargo resupply mission to the @Space_Station. Watch: http://t.co/KX5g7yYnYG pic.twitter.com/g94Yb7pYgtAnd we have liftoff of @SpaceX #ISScargo resupply mission to the @Space_Station. Watch: http://t.co/KX5g7yYnYG pic.twitter.com/g94Yb7pYgt
At 10.22am on Sunday, Nasa tweeted a picture of the launch of the rocket with the traditional phrase: “We have liftoff.”
Shortly afterward, in a statement issued through Twitter, the agency said: “Something went wrong with the launch. @SpaceX is evaluating the status of the mission.”Shortly afterward, in a statement issued through Twitter, the agency said: “Something went wrong with the launch. @SpaceX is evaluating the status of the mission.”
Moments later, it added: “The range confirmed that the vehicle has broken up. @SpaceX is putting together their anomaly team.”Moments later, it added: “The range confirmed that the vehicle has broken up. @SpaceX is putting together their anomaly team.”
SpaceX, a private company, said the initial part of the liftoff went well, until the vehicle went supersonic.
Nasa commentator George Diller told the Associated Press it was not clear how the disaster occurred.
This is the second failed shipment of supplies to the ISS. In April, a Russian cargo ship fell out of control and came down. Last October, another supply ship was destroyed in a launch accident.This is the second failed shipment of supplies to the ISS. In April, a Russian cargo ship fell out of control and came down. Last October, another supply ship was destroyed in a launch accident.
In his statement, Nasa administrator Bolden said: “SpaceX has demonstrated extraordinary capabilities in its first six cargo resupply missions to the station, and we know they can replicate that success.
“We will work with and support SpaceX to assess what happened, understand the specifics of the failure and correct it to move forward.
“This is a reminder that spaceflight is an incredible challenge, but we learn from each success and each setback. Today’s launch attempt will not deter us from our ambitious human spaceflight programme.”