A rocket engine exploded during a test at the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland (United Kingdom).
Image of the explosion at SaxaVord spaceport. (Source: BBC).
According to Reuters, the explosion occurred late on August 19 at the SaxaVord spaceport (Shetland Islands, off the north coast of Scotland).
The facility had been evacuated beforehand, so no one was injured, SaxaVord and its partner Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) stated.
“This is a test. Testing activities typically help identify any issues before proceeding to the next phase,” a spokesperson for SaxaVord said. “We will work with RFA to investigate and learn from this.”
SaxaVord spaceport. (Photo: PA).
Rocket engine before launch. (Photo: PA).
The UK hopes that SaxaVord will become the first site in the country to conduct vertical satellite launches into space. SaxaVord was granted important safety licenses in April, paving the way for a launch later this year.
