A rocket engine exploded during a test launch at Britain’s new spaceport in northern Scotland, officials said Tuesday, in a setback for the UK’s fledgling space sector.
No one was injured in Monday evening’s incident at SaxaVord Spaceport on the remote island of Unst, said the operator, German rocket manufacturer Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).
The company hopes to launch the UK’s first vertical rocket into orbit from there later this year. Monday’s failed test was one of the trials in the run-up to the launch.
It comes three months after RFA held its first engine test at the site, which was declared a success.
SaxaVord is the first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport in Europe.
Rocket Engine Goes Up In Flames During Test At SaxaVord Spaceport In Britain
That doesn’t look like a test launch at all.