Glasgow: A rocket engine exploded during a test at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, which gained prominence last year as Britain’s first licensed vertical rocket launch site. The incident occurred late on Monday at the Shetland Islands site, with BBC footage capturing the dramatic explosion that sent large plumes of fire and smoke into the sky.
The site had been evacuated prior to the test, and SaxaVord Spaceport, along with its German partner Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), confirmed that no injuries were reported. “This was a test, and test campaigns are designed to identify issues prior to the next stage,” a SaxaVord spokesman stated. “We will work with RFA to understand and learn from the causes and support them as they move forward to the next phase of their preparations.”
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RFA is currently investigating the “anomaly” that occurred during the test and is working to resolve the issue. The launch pad itself remains “saved and secured”, according to RFA.
SaxaVord, which aims to become the first British site to conduct a vertical satellite launch, received a crucial safety license from regulators in April. This license sets the stage for a potential launch later this year. The global space market is projected to exceed a trillion dollars by 2030, driven by plans to deploy thousands of internet-beaming satellites.
