Alcantara, Brazil: Brazilian Rocket Explosion Aftermath
[http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/ioweek/archive/03-08-24/index.htm]

This IKONOS satellite image shows the aftermath of the explosion that destroyed
the Brazilian VLS-1 V-03 rocket designed to carry two satellites into orbit. The
Aug. 22 explosion killed 21 people after an engine ignited by mistake while on
its launch pad. The rocket exploded at its jungle base of Alcantara, in the
northeastern state of Maranhao, Brazil. The image shows the burned vegetation
and the collapsed launch pad.

Compare to image shot by Space Imaging’s IKONOS satellite September 5, 2001,

http://www.spaceimaging.com/gallery/spacepics/alcantara_launch_center_SI_09_05_01.jpg
(695KB)

Credit: Space Imaging