The Cygnus CRS Orb-3 mission was meant to be a significant resupply mission to the International Space Station (ISS), managed by NASA and conducted by Orbital Sciences Corporation. The mission was scheduled for launch from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island in Virginia, which had been developed to support various space missions. The Antares rocket was carrying a Cygnus spacecraft loaded with approximately 5,000 pounds of cargo, including scientific experiments, supplies for astronauts, and other essential materials for the crew aboard the ISS.

Shortly after liftoff, the Antares rocket encountered a critical failure just seconds into its ascent, resulting in a catastrophic explosion. Live coverage of the launch quickly shifted focus to the explosion, which was witnessed by a crowd of spectators at the launch site. Fortunately, extensive safety measures ensured that no people were harmed, as the launch site was designed for such contingencies and was largely uncrewed at the time. The event marked a significant setback for Orbital Sciences and NASA’s Commercial Resupply Services program, which aimed to provide frequent and reliable cargo transport to the ISS.

The aftermath of the explosion resulted in a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause of the failure. Investigators focused on the rocket's fuel system and technical aspects of the launch vehicle. The failure underscored the inherent challenges and risks of space exploration and led to increased scrutiny of all operations related to space missions, including safety protocols and engineering assessments.