Mark Zuckerberg has responded to the SpaceX prelaunch test explosion on Thursday that destroyed Facebook’s first satellite.
"As I’m here in Africa, I’m deeply disappointed to hear that SpaceX’s launch failure destroyed our satellite that would have provided connectivity to so many entrepreneurs and everyone else across the continent," Zuckerberg said on his Facebook page.
Facebook wanted to use the US $195 million satellite to beam free internet to areas without access, like sub-Saharan Africa.
The satellite was supposed to ride SpaceX’s Falcon 9 into orbit.
"Fortunately, we have developed other technologies like Aquila that will connect people as well," Zuckerberg said, referencing the company’s drone project that’s also designed to provide high speed internet.
"We remain committed to our mission of connecting everyone, and we will keep working until everyone has the opportunities this satellite would have provided."
This article was originally published by Business Insider.
More from Business Insider:
- How the richest soccer clubs compare with the richest NFL teams
- Oil pops above $50 after Iraq's oil minister says OPEC is thinking about extending cuts until the end of 2018
- Bitcoin's fate untethers from China
- FETCH CEO: Uber's allegations are 'unsubstantiated, completely without merit, and purposefully inflammatory'
- 'Don't be sarcastic': Matt Lauer confronts Bill O'Reilly about sexual harassment claims in tense interview
