Amos-6 satellite lost after SpaceX launchpad explosion

News Video Global 1 SEP 2016
Amos-6 satellite lost after SpaceX launchpad explosion
Spacecom's Amos-6 satellite has been lost, after an explosion on the launch pad in Florida during preparations for launch. The satellite was scheduled to launch on 03 September, and during a routine test an anomaly occurred on the pad, causing the rocket and satellite to explode. SpaceX, whose rocket was handling the launch from Cape Canaveral, confirmed the news, saying the rocket and payload were both lost, while no on was injured. It was unclear what caused the explosion. 

The Amos-6 was expected to be used in part by Facebook for its plans to bring broadband to sub-Saharan Africa. It had reserved Ka-band spot beam capacity across Africa on the satellite as part of its project with Eutelsat to develop the internet access services. The satellite was expected to go into service by early 2017. 

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