[RayChuang88]

I think a lot of people are surprised we don't see this happen more often. Especially when rocket fuel is HIGHLY explosive (as the Russians found out when their N1 rocket crashed back onto the launchpad and blew up with the force of an atomic artillery shell).

[wbarmy]

an atomic artillery shell

I love that video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YLhJbFrz228

[Ozark Tom]

The order of a very energetic explosion prior to any smoke/fire was odd, considering no hydrogen is employed as fuel. The oxygen had to mix with a substantial amount of something to cause a detonation as seen—if propellants actually are involved in the event. The tank of kerosene is at the base of each stage; and, possibly not pressurized at this point in the fueling procedure. Was the second stage even fueled for the test procedure?

The payload was an Israeli built satellite sharing part of it’s capacity with communications endeavors seeking to serve internet to parts of Africa (Sudan?). Does the origin of the satellite have any bearing upon today’s event???