Shetland, Scotland – A significant setback has occurred at the UK’s first vertical rocket launch site at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.
A test conducted by the German aerospace company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) ended in a dramatic explosion, raising concerns about the timeline of the country’s space ambitions.
The incident, which took place during the ignition of RFA’s nine-engine test, has cast doubt on the scheduled launch plans, initially expected to take place in the coming weeks or months.
RFA confirmed that eight of the nine engines were successfully ignited during the test. However, one engine developed an anomaly, leading to a large fire that ultimately caused the collapse of part of the rocket structure.
The company released footage of the explosion on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), showing intense flames and plumes of smoke emanating from the base of the rocket before it was fully engulfed in fire.
This test was a crucial part of RFA’s efforts to launch the UK’s first vertical rocket into orbit. SaxaVord Spaceport, located on the northernmost part of the Shetland Islands, is the UK’s first fully licensed vertical launch facility, intended to play a pivotal role in the growing UK space industry.
The Civil Aviation Authority granted approval for orbital launches from SaxaVord in December 2023, positioning the spaceport as a key player in Western Europe’s burgeoning space sector.
Timeline Impacted
Following the explosion, RFA announced that their initial launch timeline is no longer feasible. The company had hoped to achieve a launch within the next few weeks or months, but the damage inflicted during the test has forced them to reassess their plans.
“The fire suppression systems were simply not adequately sized to deal with this kind of damage,” a spokesperson for the company stated in a video posted on X.
“Unfortunately, this has happened at a very critical stage in our testing, and this has taken out the entire stage. We wanted to launch soon, but unfortunately, this is no longer possible.”
The spokesperson added that while the fire was severe, it did not occur in an area where it would have caused catastrophic damage to the broader launch site infrastructure.
As a result, only certain areas of the site will need to be rebuilt, though this will inevitably delay further tests and the eventual launch.
RFA engineers are confident that the explosion was not related to a design flaw in the rocket itself.
The preliminary investigation points to a fire in the oxygen pump, which became difficult to contain due to kerosene being pushed out by the malfunctioning engine. This chain of events led to the collapse of part of the rocket structure.
SaxaVord’s Role in the UK Space Industry
SaxaVord Spaceport has been heralded as a major milestone for the UK’s ambitions in space exploration and satellite launches.
The facility is the first in Western Europe to receive full licensing for vertical rocket launches, a distinction that allows it to conduct up to 30 launches per year.
These launches are primarily intended to carry satellites and other payloads into space, solidifying the UK’s presence in the global space race.
The UK’s space industry is estimated to be worth £17.5 billion and supports nearly 50,000 jobs across more than 2,200 firms.
SaxaVord is a critical component of this industry, especially as the UK government pushes to become a leader in the commercial space sector.
The spaceport’s remote location in Shetland offers the ideal environment for launches, away from populated areas and close to polar orbit paths, which are crucial for satellite deployments.
German rocket company HyImpulse and Edinburgh-based space startup Skyrora are also planning to use SaxaVord for their launch activities.
Additionally, aerospace giant Lockheed Martin and ABL Space Systems have announced plans for orbital launches from the site as part of the UK government’s Pathfinder launch program.
The SaxaVord project is part of a broader strategy to establish Scotland as a key hub for the UK’s space sector. Currently, five spaceports are under development across Scotland, with each aiming to play a significant role in the country’s space ambitions.
The Sutherland Spaceport, located on Scotland’s north coast, is under construction and expects to launch 12 rockets into orbit annually.
Other proposed sites include a spaceport on North Uist in the Outer Hebrides and two locations, Glasgow Prestwick and Spaceport Machrihanish, which hope to conduct horizontal orbital launches similar to those at Cornwall Spaceport.
Safety Protocols in Place
Despite the dramatic nature of the explosion, safety protocols at SaxaVord Spaceport were rigorously followed.
The spaceport confirmed that the site was evacuated prior to the test, ensuring no staff were at risk during the incident.
A spokesperson for the spaceport emphasized that all safety measures were fully observed, and the overall integrity of the launch pad was preserved.
RFA echoed these sentiments, stating that the test had “worked fairly well” despite the explosion and that no one was injured.
The company’s engineers are now focused on investigating the exact cause of the fire and ensuring that future tests avoid similar incidents.
The Road Ahead
While the explosion represents a significant setback for RFA and the SaxaVord Spaceport, both parties remain committed to advancing the UK’s space capabilities.
RFA has expressed confidence that the incident is an isolated issue and that it does not reflect a fundamental problem with their rocket design.
The company is working to rectify the damage and move forward with further tests as soon as possible.
SaxaVord Spaceport, meanwhile, continues to work with multiple partners to position itself as a central hub in the European space industry.
The spaceport’s strategic location, advanced infrastructure, and licensing approvals make it a vital component of the UK’s space ambitions, despite the recent challenges.
As the spaceport and its partners regroup from this setback, the broader space community will be watching closely to see how quickly RFA can recover and get back on track.
The race to launch the first vertical rocket from UK soil remains a high-stakes endeavor, one that will test the resilience and determination of all involved.
With space becoming an increasingly critical sector for economic growth, innovation, and national security, the UK’s ability to establish itself as a major player in the commercial space race is more important than ever.
The outcome of this incident will likely influence not just SaxaVord’s future, but the trajectory of the UK’s space industry as a whole.
This article was created using automation technology and was thoroughly edited and fact-checked by one of our editorial staff members
