U.S. Space Force's Rocket for Future Ballistic Missile Explodes After Launch

A Minotaur II+ rocket of the U.S. Space Force exploded approximately 11 seconds after launching from Test Pad-01 of the Vandenberg Space Force Base at 11:01 p.m. PDT Wednesday.
There were no injuries in the explosion and the debris was contained to the immediate vicinity of the launch pad, a press statement from the Space Force Base said.
The launch was supposed to be the first test supporting the development of the U.S. Air Force's new Mk21A reentry vehicle, as part of the future LGM-35A Sentinel intercontinental ballistic missile.
"The test launch was intended to demonstrate preliminary design concepts and relevant technologies in operationally realistic environments," CBS News said quoting Air Force Nuclear Weapons Center officials.
While the rocket mostly went up in smoke, debries if any were contained within the immediate vicinity of the launch pad.
"We always have emergency response teams on standby prior to every launch," said Col. Kris Barcomb, Space Launch Delta 30 vice commander and launch decision authority for this launch.
An investigative review board has been established to determine the cause of the explosion.
The missile is being developed by Northrop Grumman Corporation under a $13.3 billion contract with the US Air Force. The US Department of Defense estimates that the cost of acquiring new missiles will be more than $95 billion.