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SpaceX Falcon 9-R rocket self-destructed shortly after launching a test flight at a Texas development site, the company said.

No injuries were reported following the mid-air explosion.

"With research and development projects, detecting vehicle anomalies during testing is the purpose of the program. Today's test was particularly complex, pushing the limits of the vehicle further than any previous test. As is our practice, the company will be reviewing the flight record details to learn more about the performance of the vehicle prior to our next test," the company explained in a statement released via Twitter.

The test flight involved a three-engine version of the company's reusable Falcon 9 rocket, spokesman John Taylor said in a statement. The company has been using the Falcon 9 to launch satellites and the Dragon spacecraft, which delivers cargo the International Space Station.

This experimental version of Falcon 9 has fewer engines. It has been designed to lift off and land vertically on four legs. Another F9R is already in production, so not all is lost for SpaceX.

"During the flight, an anomaly was detected in the vehicle and the flight termination system automatically terminated the mission," Taylor said.

"Throughout the test and subsequent flight termination, the vehicle remained in the designated flight area. There were no injuries or near injuries," he said.

After rocket self detonated, SpaceX founder Elon Musk tweeted: 

"Three engine F9R Dev1 vehicle auto-terminated during test flight. No injuries or near injuries. Rockets are tricky ..."