The SpaceX MK1 prototype rocket was severely damaged during a test in Texas on Wednesday.

The test rocket is part of SpaceX’s mission to fly a craft carrying humans to Mars.

The test in Boca Chica, Texas appeared to be going normally until the top of the rocket was violently blown off, followed by billowing white smoke.

Elon Musk, CEO and founder of SpaceX, claimed that the Mars rocket project would continue with newer prototypes.

“Absoloutely, but to move to the MK3 design.” Mr. Musk wrote on Twitter in reply to a query about the future of the project beyond the MK1 rocket.

SpaceX claims on its website that the Mars project will ne able to send human crewed spacecraft to the as of yet unvisited planet by 2024.