NASA confirms that the flight termination system was engaged . Retired astronaut Barron Beneski says it was the right call . `` They commanded the destruct system to make sure it did n't wind up in a populated area when they knew it was n't going to make it to orbit , '' he said . The rocket was destroyed shortly after launch on the Virginia coast on Thursday night .
NASA confirms that the flight termination system was engaged . Retired astronaut Barron Beneski says it was the right call . The rocket was destroyed shortly after launch on the Virginia coast on Thursday night .