October 31, 2014
Mariah Timms
News Writer
Nation
The NASA-contracted rocket that exploded off the coast of Virginia was purposefully destructed, the investigation reveals. The flight termination sequence was initiated after it became clear there was a problem with the rocket upon launch. The rocket reportedly faulted in the first stage, and it fell back towards the ground before it was intentionally detonated in the air. This decision was made as a precaution to avoid the possibility that the rocket would crash on a populated area. The rocket was carrying 5,000 pounds of supplies for the International Space Station.
