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Now conspiracy theorists are claiming the space rocket was “attacked”.

The “reusable” rocket was destroyed after suffering a catastrophic explosion on launch at Cape Canaveral in Florida, US on Thursday.

The huge blast, which caused no injuries, ripped through the rocket during a pre-launch check – sending plumes of thick black smoke into the air.

Billionaire SpaceX CEO Elon Musk said the cause of the explosion, which was caught on camera, is still unknown.

(Image: SPACEX)

But new analysis of the footage appears to show there may have been foul play, it has been claimed.

A grainy video of the blast, posted to YouTube by Steve Svensson, appears to shows a small, silver spherical object flying over the rocket as it exploded.

In the description to the video, he wrote: “It appears that SpaceX may have been shot by a very fast moving drone, or possibly an explosive in the satellite was triggered?

“We all know people love to hate Elon Musk.”

(Image: SPACEX)

Skeptics have cast doubt on the theory, pointing out that the flying object was simply a bird or a bug.

But truth seekers hit back, suggesting that the object was travelling too fast – and therefore must be a machine.

The video triggered a flurry of speculation on social media, where many have been left puzzled by the object.

Commenting on the YouTube video, Scott Keller wrote: “One person said it was a bug. Someone else a bird.

“Hard to accept those two as explanations. Too fast and not close to the camera.”

Rantin Wraithy wrote: “That’s a big f****** bird. And round too. I didn’t think ostriches could fly.”

(Image: SPACEX) (Image: SPACEX)

The explosion happened shortly after 9am as Musk’s Spacex firm were readying for launch at the Kennedy Space Centre.

Facebook’s $200million “revolutionary” Amos-6 satellite was destroyed in the blast – leading CEO Mark Zuckerburg to express his “deep disappointment”.

The satellite would have opened up free internet to more than 14 countries in Africa.

SpaceX managed to land a rocket on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean in May.

(Image: SPACEX)

The costly blunder dealt a major blow to SpaceX, which are playing catch up to launch other satellites after an accident last year.

In a statement, a spokesperson for the firm said: “SpaceX can confirm that in preparation for today's static fire, there was an anomaly on the pad resulting in the loss of the vehicle and its payload.

“Per standard procedure, the pad was clear and there were no injuries.”

SpaceX managed to land a rocket on a ship in the Atlantic Ocean in May.