SpaceX rocket explodes ('rockets are tricky,' says Elon Musk)

After a malfunction during a test flight, a Falcon 9 Reusable rocket built by Musk's firm explodes over McGregor, Texas.

An explosive anomaly.As with so much technology, the development of rockets is trial and anomaly.

Fortunately, no one was hurt after one such anomaly was detected in the test flight of a SpaceX Falcon 9 Reusable (F9R) rocket over McGregor, Texas, early yesterday evening.

As the local KWTX-TV reported, the rocket exploded within 38 seconds of its launch, after the mission controllers noticed what they called, yes, an "anomaly." The rocket self-destructed, as it is designed to do.

Footage shot by an enthusiast shows that it seemed to be soaring to the sky, before simply disintegrating.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk, for whom SpaceX (which he also helms) is a project of considerable passion,took to Twitter to explain: "Three engine F9R Dev1 vehicle auto-terminated during test flight. No injuries or near injuries. Rockets are tricky."

It's unclear currently what particular trickiness this particular test-flight encountered.