Live updates: SpaceX just launched and intentionally exploded a rocket for NASA to test a spaceship abort system

falcon 9 rocket explosion crew dragon spaceship in flight abort test launch january 19 2020 spacex nasa

                                

falcon 9 rocket explosion crew dragon spaceship in flight abort test launch january 19 2020 spacex nasa

• The company's Falcon 9 rocket lifted off at 10:30 a.m. ET, but mission controllers intentionally shut off its engines about 84 seconds into the flight.
• At that moment, the Crew Dragon spaceship detached and sped away with its own rocket engines. Seconds later the tumbling rocket exploded under the strain of aerodynamic forces.
• About 9 minutes into the mission, the Crew Dragon space capsule splashed down into the Atlantic Ocean, where recovery crews are now working to recover the ship.
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