SpaceX contractor dies at rocket company's Texas HQ

A SpaceX contractor died last week while working at the rocket's company headquarters in Starbase, Texas, according to the local county sheriff's office.

The Cameron County Sheriff Department said Monday it responded to the fatal incident, but didn't disclose details about the identity of the victim or cause of the apparent workplace accident on May 15. The sheriff's office referred all further questions to the company.

Space Exploration Technologies, more commonly known as SpaceX, didn't immediately respond to a request for comment.

The Occupational Safety and Health Administration said that it's investigating the incident.

The rocket and satellite company is preparing for the launch of its next-generation Starship rocket as soon as May 20, a crucial test for a vehicle central to CEO Elon Musk's ambitious plans to establish data centers in space, a moon base and the eventual colonization of Mars.

SpaceX is simultaneously preparing to enter the public markets in the coming weeks and is targeting a valuation of $2 trillion dollars in what would be the largest-ever initial public offering. It could file for the IPO as soon as later this week, Bloomberg has reported.