SpaceX Aborts Falcon 9 Engine Test At Ignition

SpaceX's Falcon 9 on the pad at Cape Canaveral. (Credit: Chris Thompson/SpaceX)

SpaceX aborted a “hot fire” of the first stage engines on its new Falcon 9 rocket earlier today. Spaceflight Now reported from the Cape at 2:27 p.m. EST:

Spectators report they heard a loud bang at the time of ignition, but no other prolonged sounds of the engine burning. Visual indications at ignition included a flash of orange light, a cloud of steam and black smoke, and a brief fire at the base of the rocket, which appeared consistent with behavior after an engine cutoff.

Updates as they become available.