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The 45th Space Wing, the US Air Force unit that commands the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, is responding to the explosion. "There are no known casualties. There's no threat to public safety and our emergency management teams are on site responding," Bryan Bryan Purtell, a representative for the 45th Space Wing, told The Verge. The unit will provide more updates soon.

It's possible that the Amos 6 satellite was not harmed during the explosion. The satellites aren't always loaded on top of the Falcon 9s during a static fire. But right now, the fate of the Amos 6 is unclear.

[NonValueAdded]

Brevard County, Florida ping.

Let me know if you want on or off this low volume ping list.
(not associated with the county government)

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Another source: News 13

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[Caption: Sent via the News 13 app: Large plume of smoke over Cape Canaveral Air Force Station after an explosion was reported. There is no threat to the public, reports the Brevard EOC. (Rick, viewer)]

[BenLurkin]

Woe to you who are complacent in Zion,
and to you who feel secure on Mount Samaria,
you notable men of the foremost nation,
to whom the people of Israel come!

[RayChuang88]

I think a lot of people are surprised we don't see this happen more often. Especially when rocket fuel is HIGHLY explosive (as the Russians found out when their N1 rocket crashed back onto the launchpad and blew up with the force of an atomic artillery shell).

[NonValueAdded]

New13 reports payload lost too

[Blood of Tyrants]

Just goes to show you that there is nothing routine about space flight.

[DoughtyOne]

Sorry to hear of this.

Now that’s what I call ironing the kinks out...

[GraceG]

[ SpaceX was getting the Falcon 9 ready to launch the Amos 6 satellite, a communications probe for the Israeli satellite operator Spacecom. ]

Maybe it was the Mooselim outreach program NASA Touts...

[plain talk]

"Falcon 9 is a two-stage rocket designed and manufactured by SpaceX for the reliable and safe transport of satellites and the Dragon spacecraft into orbit. As the first rocket completely developed in the 21st century, Falcon 9 was designed from the ground up for maximum reliability. "

[marshmallow]

Is it just my impression or does Space X stuff frequently malfunction? Seems like they've had lots of problems with their rockets in the past.

[Harpotoo]

Since it was to carry and Israeli Sat maybe obummer ordered it destroyed. Looking at his current and past behavior that isn’t unreasonable:-)

[SkyDancer]

Guess it didn’t want to put Facebook’s satellite into orbit.

[kublia khan]

The government hates competition, thieves and entrepreneurs beware!

[Ezekiel]

SpaceX was getting the Falcon 9 ready to launch the Amos 6 ...

Amos 6

1. Woe to those who are at ease in Zion, and to those who trust in the mountain of Samaria, who are named chief of the nations, to whom the house of Israel come:

to whom the house of Israel come

House of Israel, not the House of Judah. Important details.

[al_c]

Seriously, though ... I hope no one was hurt and that they can get back to the drawing board and try again.

[TalonDJ]

Press release says the payload was lost.

[TalonDJ]

Amos 6, so this was NOT the reused booster they are going to launch soon. That was a different customer.

[CodeJockey]

The satellite was to provide internet service to Sub Saharan Africa? Wouldn't they need electricity over there first?

[jerod]

His cars catch fire and his rockets explode... Looks like the shine of Elon Musk’s dreams, is starting to tarnish with each passing day. I think it’s just a matter of time before he’s exposed as being a fraudster and crook. He’ll likely be conveniently out of the country when the police come a knocking.