This is footage of the September 1, 2016 failed launch of the SpaceX Falcon 9. In this footage, which is slowed down and zoomed in, showing what appears to be a very fast-moving sphere passing by the rocket at the very moment that it exploded on the launch pad.
The official statement was, “SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today’s standard pre-launch static fire test, there was an anomaly on the pad, resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload. Per standard procedure, the pad was clear and there were no injuries.”
The rocket was carrying a satellite commissioned from French satellite operator Eutelsat by Facebook to expand broadband Internet service in sub-Saharan Africa.
