Incredible Footage Shows SpaceX Rocket Automatically Detonate in Mid-Air After 'Anomaly Was Detected

A SpaceX prototype rocket automatically detonated Friday evening in Texas after "an anomaly was detected in the vehicle," the company said in a statement.

"Throughout the test and subsequent flight termination, the vehicle remained in the designated flight area," the statement said. "There were no injuries or near injuries. An FAA representative was present at all times."

#spaceX rocket blew up :( pic.twitter.com/u41286gstr

— Mandy (@EthansMommy17) August 22, 2014

SpaceX said they were conducting a test flight of a "three engine version of the F9R test vehicle," a successor to Grasshopper.

Images quickly emerged on social media showing the explosion in mid-air.

SpaceX said they would provide another update after flight data had been wholly analyzed.

This post has been updated with new video.

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