Rocket engine explodes during test at UK spaceport

A rocket engine exploded throughout a check launch at Britain’s new spaceport in northern Scotland, officers mentioned Tuesday, in a setback for the UK’s fledgling space sector.

Nobody was injured in Monday night’s incident at SaxaVord Spaceport on the distant island of Unst, mentioned the operator, German rocket producer Rocket Manufacturing unit Augsburg (RFA).

The corporate hopes to launch the UK’s first vertical rocket into orbit from there later this 12 months. Monday’s failed check was one of many trials within the run-up to the launch.

It comes three months after RFA held its first engine check on the website, which was declared a hit.

“On Monday night, RFA performed a sizzling fireplace of its first stage at their launch website at SaxaVord Spaceport,” mentioned a spokesperson for the German firm.

“This resulted in an anomaly that led to the lack of the stage. No-one was injured within the course of.

“The launch pad has been saved and is secured, the state of affairs is underneath management and any rapid hazard has been mitigated.”

A spokesperson for SaxaVord mentioned it “will work with RFA to know and study from the causes and help them as they transfer ahead to the subsequent phase of their preparations”.

SaxaVord is the primary totally licensed vertical launch spaceport in Europe.

It’s considered one of a number of space facilities sprouting up across the continent amid a surge in recognition of small rockets and the commercialization of space.

SaxaVord acquired permission from UK aviation regulators in December 2023 to start orbital launches this 12 months. It’s allowed as much as 30 yearly to take satellites and different payload.

The primary try to launch satellites from UK soil failed in January final 12 months when a rocket didn’t enter orbit after discharging from a Virgin Orbit Boeing 747.

The try befell at Cornwall Spaceport in southwest England, the place rockets are carried by plane and launch horizontally.

© 2024 AFP