In 1967, during ground tests at Cape Canaveral, a catastrophic event occurred that resulted in the destruction of a space rocket. This unfortunate incident involved the Saturn IB rocket, which was being prepared for an important mission.

The Saturn IB rocket was a vital component of NASA's Apollo program, which aimed to land humans on the Moon. This particular rocket, known as Saturn IB SA-204, was scheduled to carry the Apollo 1 crew on a crucial mission. However, tragedy struck during a routine test on January 27, 1967.

During a launch rehearsal test, a fire broke out inside the Command Module (CM) of the Apollo 1 spacecraft. The fire spread rapidly due to the highly flammable materials used in the cabin construction, causing the deaths of all three astronauts on board: Virgil "Gus" Grissom, Edward H. White II, and Roger B. Chaffee.

The incident was a devastating setback for NASA and the Apollo program. It led to a thorough investigation and a complete redesign of the Command Module. The investigation revealed numerous design flaws and safety issues that needed to be addressed before further manned missions could be attempted.

The tragedy of Apollo 1 resulted in significant changes to the spacecraft's design and safety protocols. A new hatch design was implemented, along with the use of non-flammable materials and a more rigorous testing process. These changes were crucial in ensuring the safety of future astronauts and the success of subsequent Apollo missions.

The Apollo program continued after the tragedy of Apollo 1, ultimately achieving its goal of landing humans on the Moon. The lessons learned from this devastating event shaped the future of space exploration and improved safety measures for astronauts.

In conclusion, the space rocket that was destroyed during ground tests at Cape Canaveral in 1967 was the Saturn IB SA-204, which was meant to carry the crew of Apollo 1. This tragic incident resulted in the loss of three astronauts' lives and prompted significant changes to the design and safety protocols of the Apollo spacecraft.

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