By Lauren Jones
On Oct. 28, 2014, an unmanned Orbital Sciences rocket exploded shortly after launching from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The flaming Antares rocket flopped back down to its launch pad, consuming its Cygnus spacecraft, carting 5,000 lb. of NASA cargo to the International Space Station, in an enormous fireball. NASA reported no injuries though described the crash as a “catastrophic anomaly.” Following the one year anniversary of the disaster, NASA has released photographs taken at the time by Joel Kowsky, a photo editor and photographer with the space agency in Washington D.C., of the stunning aftermath.
More Must-Reads From TIME
- The 100 Most Influential People of 2024
- How Far Trump Would Go
- Scenes From Pro-Palestinian Encampments Across U.S. Universities
- Saving Seconds Is Better Than Hours
- Why Your Breakfast Should Start with a Vegetable
- 6 Compliments That Land Every Time
- Welcome to the Golden Age of Ryan Gosling
- Want Weekly Recs on What to Watch, Read, and More? Sign Up for Worth Your Time
Contact us at letters@time.com