Photo by:CBS Web News

News Release: October 28, 2014

Heres a statement from U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) on todays launch explosion:

Space flight is inherently risky. As we push the frontiers of space there will be setbacks. But our commercial space ventures will ultimately be successful.

News Release: CBS Web News October 28, 2014

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. -- An Orbital Sciences Antares rocket carrying an unmanned cargo craft bound for the International Space Station exploded into flames Tuesday evening moments after launch at NASA's Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Wallops Island, Virginia.

The countdown had seemed routine and the rocket lifted off as scheduled at 6:22 p.m. EDT, but then burst into a fireball seconds later. The debris crashed down on the launching pad, spreading fiery wreckage around the area.

NASA said all personnel are accounted for and no one was injured.

This was the first catastrophic launch failure since NASA began its commercial spaceflight effort.

The rocket was constructed by Orbital Sciences Corp., which contracts with NASA to supply the ISS. A statement from Orbital said the company has formed an "anomaly investigation board" which will work with government agencies on a probe into the explosion.

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Orbital Sciences Rocket Explodes Moments after Launch