SpaceX rocket explodes during launch; no injuries

MCGREGOR, Texas – An unmanned SpaceX rocket exploded shortly after launch on a test flight at the company's Central Texas development site.

A SpaceX statement said nobody was injured in the Friday afternoon explosion at its test site in McGregor, Texas, 23 miles southeast of Waco.

In a statement, SpaceX spokesman John Taylor says the test flight involved a three-engine version of its reusable Falcon 9 rocket. He said an "anomaly" was detected in the rocket and it automatically self-destructed.

He said the vehicle remained within its designated flight area throughout and a representative of the Federal Aviation Administration was present.

The company offered no further details on the nature of the "anomaly," but Taylor said SpaceX will review the flight record to learn more about the rocket's performance before its next test flight.