A US spy satellite that was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, aboard a SpaceX rocket has failed to reach orbit and is assumed to be a total loss, two officials say.
The classified intelligence satellite, built by Northrop Grumman Corp, failed to separate from the second stage of the Falcon 9 rocket and is assumed to have broken up or plunged into the sea, said the two officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity.
The satellite is assumed to be "a write-off," one of the officials said.
The presumed loss of the satellite was first reported by the Wall Street Journal.
Northrop Grumman built the multibillion-dollar satellite, code-named Zuma, and was responsible for choosing the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
An investigation is under way, but there is no initial indication of sabotage or other interference.
SpaceX spokesman James Gleeson said: "We do not comment on missions of this nature; but as of right now reviews of the data indicate Falcon 9 performed nominally."
Space Exploration Technologies Corp, led by entrepreneur Elon Musk, launched its first satellite for the US military with its Falcon 9 rocket in May last year.
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