2024-08-20 15:50:29
A German company wants to be the first to send a rocket into space from a Scottish island. There was a serious incident during a test.
Parts of a rocket from the German space company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) exploded in a fireball during a test on a Scottish island. An anomaly occurred during the ignition of the first stage at the Saxavord Spaceport, RFA said. No one was injured. “The launch pad has been rescued and is secure, the situation is under control and any immediate danger has been averted.”
RFA wants to be the first company to send a rocket into space from the new spaceport on Unst, the northernmost British island. The planned test of the nine engines was part of a series that was to be carried out before the first launch. A few months ago, a first, short test was successful.
Preparations could now be delayed. “We will take time to analyze and assess the situation,” RFA said. They are working closely with the operator and the authorities.
The aim is to resume testing as soon as possible. The focus is on real tests, it said. “This is part of our philosophy and we were aware of the higher risks associated with this approach.”
The spaceport said all safety protocols were fully followed and the site was cleared before the test so no one was at risk. “This was a test and test campaigns are designed to identify problems before the next phase,” the BBC quoted a spokesman for the facility as saying.