Rocket Headed for Space Station Explodes After Liftoff

An unmanned Antares rocket carrying cargo to the International Space Station exploded just seconds after taking off this evening. The rocket, which launched from the NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Wallops Island, Virginia at 6:22 pm ET, was operated by the Orbital Sciences Corporation.

The cause of the “catastrophic anomaly” is not clear, and the team was not tracking any issues before the launch, according to NASA mission control. No injuries were reported, and all personnel have been accounted for. Orbital teams are now securing the crash site and telemetry data from the flight.

The rocket was carrying a Cygnus cargo logistics spacecraft, which was to be boosted into orbit above Earth and rendezvous with the ISS on Nov. 2. It was carrying 5,050 pounds of cargo, including food, flight procedures books, crew equipment, and equipment for science experiments onboard.

Orbital has a contract with NASA for eight missions to resupply the ISS. This was the third of those missions. Orbital and NASA are determining when a press conference will be held, and if the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) will be involved in the investigation.