A rocket went up in flames at a new spaceport in Shetland on Monday night as a test aimed at ultimately seeing the first vertical launch from the UK resulted in an explosion.
German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which carried out the test, has since said no one was hurt and vowed to get back to regular operations “as soon as possible” after the explosion at SaxaVord Spaceport.
A rocket engine exploded in flames, spewing plumes of fire and smoke into the air during a test at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, which last year became Britain's first licensed vertical rocket launch site https://t.co/y30tWAIIOj pic.twitter.com/VF1kFT9Les
— Reuters (@Reuters) August 20, 2024
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An “anomaly” prompted the explosion, the company said, which happened during a nine-engine test ahead of plans to carry out the first vertical launch from the UK.
SaxaVord’s launch pad was “saved and secured,” RFA added, with work now underway to identify the cause of the explosion.
Based on the island of Unst in the Shetlands, SaxaVord received regulatory approval to launch rockets late last year.
Unst’s location at the northernmost tip of the British Isles means lockets can launch from the site without passing over populated areas, unlike in other areas.
The latest test comes three months after the site’s first, which was declared a success after RFA fired its rocket’s engines for eight seconds.
“We develop iteratively with an emphasis on real testing,” an RFA spokesperson said, “this is part of our philosophy and we were aware of the higher risks attached to this”.
The UK Civil Aviation Authority added such incidents “were anticipated” during testing phases, which are “essential” for future success.
Five other proposed spaceports are under development in Scotland, with the UK industry estimated to be worth £17.5 billion and support around 48,800 jobs.