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A rocket engine test at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland ended in a dramatic explosion, marking a setback for the UK's burgeoning space industry.
The incident occurred during a static fire test of the RFA ONE rocket, developed by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA). Fortunately, the site had been evacuated prior to the test, and no injuries were reported.
The explosion was captured on video, showing flames and smoke billowing into the sky from the test site located in the Shetland Islands, off the northern coast of Scotland.
RFA described the incident as an "anomaly" that led to the loss of the rocket stage, but assured that the launch pad was preserved and secured.
The company is now collaborating with SaxaVord Spaceport and relevant authorities to investigate the cause of the explosion and gather information to prevent future occurrences.
SaxaVord Spaceport, which became Britain's first licensed vertical rocket launch site last year, aims to facilitate the UK's inaugural vertical satellite launch.
The spaceport received a key safety license from regulators in April, allowing up to 30 launches annually. Despite the setback, SaxaVord and RFA remain committed to advancing their launch capabilities, with plans for a debut launch later this year.
The incident demonstrates the challenges faced by the UK's space sector as it seeks to establish itself in the competitive global market. The space industry is projected to be worth over a trillion dollars by 2030, driven by the deployment of internet-beaming satellites and other commercial ventures.
SaxaVord's strategic location in the Shetland Islands offers an advantage for launching rockets into polar and sun-synchronous orbits, which are highly sought after for satellite communications and Earth observation.
As investigations continue, SaxaVord and RFA are focused on learning from the incident and moving forward with their preparations for future launches.
