A MISSILE rocket has exploded just seconds after it was launched.
The incident happened during a test event at the Vandenberg Space Base in California just after 11pm local time on Wednesday.
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Officials said the Minotaur II rocket exploded 11 seconds after it was launched, according to the San Luis Obispo Tribune.
A fire broke out but there were no injuries.
Military officials revealed that debris was restricted to the “immediate vicinity” of the launch pad.
Col. Kris Barcomb, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander, said: “We always have emergency response teams on standby prior to every launch. Safety is our priority at all times.”
It’s not known what caused the rocket to explode as investigations are underway.
Officials planned to use the rocket with the LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile, which is currently under development.
US Air Force officials say that LGM-35A will replace the LGM-30 Minuteman III ICBM.
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The Minuteman III ICBM has been in service for more than 50 years, the Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center revealed.
The Vandenberg Space Force Base has been in use since 1941.
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