MIAMI // An unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded less than three minutes after lift-off from Cape Canaveral, Florida on Sunday, in the first major disaster for the company headed by internet tycoon Elon Musk.
The accident was the third in less than a year involving US and Russian supply ships bound for the International Space Station, and raised new concerns about the flow of food and gear to the astronauts living in orbit.
Skies were sunny and clear for the 1421 GMT launch of the gleaming white Falcon 9 rocket that was meant to propel the Dragon cargo ship on a routine supply mission, the seventh for SpaceX so far.
But two minutes, 19 seconds into the flight, contact was lost. Live television images from SpaceX’s webcast and Nasa TV showed a huge puff of smoke billowing outward for several seconds, then tiny bits of the rocket falling like confetti against a backdrop of blue sky.
“The vehicle has broken up,” said Nasa commentator George Diller.
SpaceX’s live webcast of the launch went silent as the rocket exploded.
Later, on Twitter, Mr Musk said the Falcon 9 “experienced a problem shortly before first stage shutdown” – referring to the phase of flight before the cargo ship would have been able to separate from the first stage of the rocket and reach orbit.
The problem appeared to be linked to excessive pressure in the liquid oxygen tank, Mr Musk wrote.
The Dragon cargo ship was carrying 1,800 kilograms of gear to the space station, including a large parking space, known as an International Docking Adaptor, designed to make it easier for an array of commercial crew spacecraft to dock at the orbiting lab in the future.
“Very sorry to see @SpaceX launch failure. Serious ramifications for Space Station resupply. Good thing it’s international,” tweeted Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield.
Nasa administrator Charles Bolden said the US space agency was “disappointed” at the loss but that the space station has “sufficient supplies for the next several months.” Three men are currently living at the space station. Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko and American astronaut Scott Kelly began their year-long mission in orbit back in March.
“Sadly failed. Space is hard,” Kelly said on Twitter, posting a picture of his view of the Florida coast from space.* Agence France-Presse
Key findings of Jenkins report
- Founder of the Muslim Brotherhood, Hassan al Banna, "accepted the political utility of violence"
- Views of key Muslim Brotherhood ideologue, Sayyid Qutb, have “consistently been understood” as permitting “the use of extreme violence in the pursuit of the perfect Islamic society” and “never been institutionally disowned” by the movement.
- Muslim Brotherhood at all levels has repeatedly defended Hamas attacks against Israel, including the use of suicide bombers and the killing of civilians.
- Laying out the report in the House of Commons, David Cameron told MPs: "The main findings of the review support the conclusion that membership of, association with, or influence by the Muslim Brotherhood should be considered as a possible indicator of extremism."
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Company profile
Date started: 2015
Founder: John Tsioris and Ioanna Angelidaki
Based: Dubai
Sector: Online grocery delivery
Staff: 200
Funding: Undisclosed, but investors include the Jabbar Internet Group and Venture Friends
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Volvo ES90 Specs
Engine: Electric single motor (96kW), twin motor (106kW) and twin motor performance (106kW)
Power: 333hp, 449hp, 680hp
Torque: 480Nm, 670Nm, 870Nm
On sale: Later in 2025 or early 2026, depending on region
Price: Exact regional pricing TBA
