Dramatic video shows full extent of SpaceX rocket explosion - CNET

A fire started immediately and the top part of the rocket fell to the ground.

Then the fire continued the rage, as so many hopes were temporarily burned.

As the video of the fire continues, smaller explosions are heard as the fire guts the whole structure.

It's all a reminder of how difficult space is and how so much can go wrong so quickly.

Retired NASA astronaut Mark Kelly underlined this as he tweeted: "Space is a hard & a risky business. @SpaceX will learn from this & continue on exploring."

Florida Sen. Bill Nelson, also a former astronaut, issued a statement, reported by the LA Times. It read in part: "As we continue to push the frontiers of space, there will be both triumphs and setbacks. But at the end of the day, I'm confident that our commercial space industry will be very successful."

The European Space Agency expressed sympathy too: "Sorry to hear today's news on Falcon 9 -- space is never routine."

SpaceX's Twitter account was filled with messages of support and understanding, with some even joking about the company calling the explosion "an anomaly."

Jacob Cord and several others suggested that "Rapid Unscheduled Disassembly" would have been a good option.

In a statement, Space X made it clear that standard procedures had been followed and there were no injuries.

On Twitter, Space X founder Elon Musk said: "Loss of Falcon vehicle today during propellant fill operation. Originated around upper stage oxygen tank. Cause still unknown. More soon."

The rocket also bore Facebook's first ever satellite, and CEO Mark Zuckerberg lamented the loss on the site.

"I'm deeply disappointed to hear that SpaceX's launch failure destroyed our satellite that would have provided connectivity to so many entrepreneurs and everyone else across the continent," he said.

For some good news, he then posted pictures of his visit to Kenya.

For Musk and his team, good news may not come quickly. About $195 million just burned away, and that was just the cost of the satellite. There were several trips already planned that may be in jeopardy.

SpaceX was also scheduled to be the launch vehicle for 10 Iridium satellite telephone spacecraft in just three weeks and the SES-10 communications satellite in October.

Next was due to be the November launch of a SpaceX Dragon to deliver supplies to the International Space Station.