SpaceX was preparing for the 10th test flight of Starship when the explosion occurred CHANDAN KHANNA Smoke rises from SpaceX's south Texas worksite after one of Elon Musk's SpaceX Starships exploded during a routine test Michael Gonzalez Save A SpaceX Starship rocket exploded during a routine ground test in Texas late Wednesday, the company said, in the latest setback to billionaire Elon Musk's dream of sending humans to Mars. The explosion -- which sent a towering fireball into the air -- happened at the Starbase launch facility at about 11:00 pm (0400 GMT Thursday), SpaceX and law enforcement officials said. As the company prepared for a static fire test, "a sudden energetic event resulted in the complete loss of Starship and damage to the immediate area surrounding the stand," it said Thursday, updating its initial statement. "The explosion ignited several fires at the test site which remains clear of personnel," it said. "As is the case before any test, a safety zone was established around the test site and was maintained throughout the operation. There are no reported injuries, and all personnel are safe and accounted for." During a static fire test, part of the procedures preceding a launch, the Starship's first-stage Super Heavy booster would be anchored to the ground to prevent it from lifting off during the test-firing. Starbase, on the south Texas coast near the border with Mexico, is the headquarters for Musk's space project. The company was preparing for the 10th test flight of Starship. "Initial analysis indicates the potential failure of a pressurized tank known as a COPV, or composite overwrapped pressure vessel, containing gaseous nitrogen in Starship's nosecone area, but the full data review is ongoing," SpaceX said. Musk appeared to downplay the incident on Thursday. "Just a scratch," he posted on his social media platform X. - Mega-rocket - Standing 403 feet (123 meters) tall, Starship is the world's largest and most powerful rocket and is central to Musk's long-term vision of building a long-term colony on Mars. More from this section