'Space is hard': Astronaut on space station tweets his reaction to SpaceX failure

Rocket contained food and supplies destined for Scott Kelly and the other astronauts on the International Space Station

Scott Kelly's view of the SpaceX explosion (Scott Kelly/ISS)

The news that the SpaceX rocket has exploded moments after lift off from its base in Florida has disappointed many around the globe looking forward to the next stage in space exploration.

But 51-year-old veteran astronaut Scott Kelly has more reason than most to be disappointed by the failure of the latest launch.

Mr Kelly is currently just three months into a year long stint at the International Space Station – and that rocket was carrying his supplies.

Minutes after the explosion he tweeted his disappointment:

This is the third time the privately funded launch operator, funded by billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk, has attempted to get supplies to the ISS.

It was carrying approximately 5,461 pounds (2,477 kg) of food, clothing, equipment and science experiments for the station. The cause of the explosion is not immediately known.

The station currently has four months of food and equipment so the astronauts are in no immediate danger.

But it is the third cargo line to malfunction in recent months with NASA alternative line, run by Orbital ATK, still grounded after an accident in October last year and the failure of a Russian cargo ship to reach the station in April.

Mr Kelly is currently three months into NASA's longest ever space flight. He is taking part in a year long study into the effects prolonged space flight has on the body.

His twin brother Mark, also an astronaut, has remained on Earth as a control.

Additional reporting by Reuters