WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Around 9 a.m. (1:00 p.m. GMT) on Thursday, the Falcon 9 rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The US Air Force 45th Space Wing said there were no injuries and no threat to public safety following the incident.
"Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation," Musk tweeted. "Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon."
Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) 1 сентября 2016 г.
Falcon 9 was scheduled to take off on Saturday to deliver the Amos 6 satellite into orbit. On August 14, Falcon 9 launched with Japan's JCSAT-16 communications satellite. The first stage of the rocket successfully landed on a drone ship off the coast of Florida.