A rocket engine exploded during a test at SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, UK, on August 19, 2024. The test, conducted by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), aimed to advance the UK’s first vertical rocket into orbit. The incident occurred during a scheduled nine-engine test. Large flames and plumes of smoke were seen shooting horizontally from the rocket’s base before the entire structure was engulfed in fire.
Despite the dramatic explosion, no injuries were reported. The spaceport ensured all safety protocols were followed, with the site evacuated prior to the test to protect staff. RFA confirmed that the launch pad was secured and remained intact.
This incident follows a previous successful rocket test at SaxaVord in May 2024, where RFA fired their engines for eight seconds before shutting them down. SaxaVord Spaceport, located on the island of Unst, received approval from the Civil Aviation Authority in December 2023 for orbital launches and aims to be the first fully-licensed spaceport in Western Europe for vertical launches. It is permitted up to 30 launches a year.
The UK space industry, valued at £17.5 billion, supports around 48,800 jobs across 2,200 firms. Besides SaxaVord, other spaceports are under development, including Sutherland Spaceport, which aims to launch 12 rockets annually, and proposed sites on North Uist, Glasgow Prestwick, and Spaceport Machrihanish for future horizontal launches.
The SaxaVord Spaceport, previously a former RAF radar station, is co-owned by Frank and Debbie Strang. Initially intended as an eco-tourism site, it was repurposed for space launches. The explosion highlights the inherent risks and rigorous testing required in space exploration.
