The video grab image from NASA TV shows an spaceship explode over the launch complex at Wallops Island, the United States, Oct. 28, 2014. An unmanned spaceship operated by private U.S. firm Orbital Sciences Corp. blasted off Tuesday for its third cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), NASA TV showed. (Xinhua)
WASHINGTON, Oct. 28 (Xinhua) -- An unmanned rocket operated by private U.S. firm Orbital Sciences Corp. exploded Tuesday seconds after its launch, NASA TV showed.
The Antares rocket carrying the company's Cygnus spacecraft blew up seconds after its liftoff at 6:22 p.m. EDT (2222 GMT) from U.S. space agency NASA's Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia.
"There has been a vehicle anomaly. We will update as soon as we are able." Orbital tweeted.
TV footage showed flames rising into the sky. The cause of the explosion remains unclear.
Orbital Sciences Corp. said no one was believed to have been injured and the damage seems to be limited to the facilities.
Cygnus is carrying 5,050 pounds (2,290 kilograms) of supplies for its third cargo resupply mission to the International Space Station.
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