NASA Wallops Island Rocket Explodes

The Antares rocket with the Cygnus cargo spacecraft was due to be launched last night - but 10 minutes before the launch time, a sailboat intruded into the restricted waters around Wallops Island, Virginia.  Tonight, the launch countdown went off without a hitch, but 6 seconds after liftoff, the rocket exploded.  The rocket was carrying 5,000 pounds of supplies and laboratory equipment to a rendezvous with the International Space Station and the six astronauts aboard it.  NASA will hold a press conference tonight on NASA Television to discuss the "mishap."
   Since the Wallops Flight Facility has been sending rockets into space, folks have gathered along the Eastern Shore and on Chincoteague Island to view the launches.  This was the first night-time launch of the Antares, and quite a few people had traveled to the shore and islands to one.  Reports are that no one was harmed by the explosion, but there are many reports of blown out windows in cas and trucks, as well as a few windows in near-by houses.  There was a report that a search was underway in the Chicken City Road area of Chincoteague due to reports of large debris in the area.  People who were watching the launch at the Curtis Merritt Memorial Harbor on the south end of Chincoteague Island reported feeling "fine particles" hitting their faces and arms after the explosion.
   Chincoteague Emergency Services states that there is no known damage on the island.
  I'm just happy that no lives were lost and dwellings were undamaged....

Just before ignition...

Six seconds after ignition

Ten seconds after

Fifteen seconds past...