Titan rocket explodes

In this story:

• 'Oh no'
• Spy satellite
• Related stories and sites

CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida (CNN) -- A 20-story rocket believed to be carrying a top-secret $1 billion spy satellite self-destructed less than a minute after launch on Wednesday, the Air Force said. There were no reports of injuries or damage from the Titan 4A explosion, which looked like a daytime fireworks display.

All of the fiery debris fell into the Atlantic Ocean, according to local and Air Force officials. They said there was no danger to nearby residents.

A "mishap board" would be formed to find the cause of the explosion, said Air Force Brig. Gen. F. Randall Starbuck.

The rocket self-destructed even though flight data showed it was on course, he told reporters. "We have no information on what caused the mishap."

"Oh no," said an Air Force launch commentator about 40 seconds after the 7:30 a.m. EDT (1130 GMT) liftoff. The launch was 1 1/2 hours late because of fueling problems.

About a minute later, the commentator came on again and said, "At this time it appears we have had a major malfunction of the vehicle. We have had an explosion."

Journalists and Air Force guests watching from three to four miles away were rushed onto buses and evacuated when the rocket shattered with a boom that could be heard miles away and set off car alarms throughout the area.

No workers were evacuated from Cape Canaveral Air Station or NASA's adjacent Kennedy Space Center.

Fumes from the toxic rocket fuel -- resembling an orange donut -- wafted out to sea and dispersed within a half-hour. Under launch rules, the wind must be blowing out to sea in order for a Titan 4 to lift off.

Powered by solid-fuel boosters similar to those on NASA's space shuttle, the Titan 4A is the largest unmanned rocket in the United States. It was hoisting a secret satellite for the National Reconnaissance Office that reportedly cost $1 billion.

The loss of the rocket combined with the cost of the launch swelled Wednesday's total loss by an additional $200 million or more.

Space analysts have said they believe the rocket was carrying an eavesdropping satellite that would have listened in on military and government communications in global hotspots such as the Middle East, India and Pakistan, and China.

The rocket, built by Lockheed Martin Corp., should have soared in late July, but was grounded so workers could repair torn insulation on its upper stage.

The last time a rocket exploded at Cape Canaveral Air Station was in January 1997, when a Delta blew up 13 seconds into flight.

No one was injured, but the accident, so much earlier in the flight than Wednesday's explosion, caused extensive damage as chunks of debris landed on the pad and nearby Air Force facilities.

The last time a Titan 4 rocket blew up was at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in August 1993.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.