The SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland’s Shetland Islands. Photo: SaxaVord Spaceport

A Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) engine exploded on Monday during a hot fire test at the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. Video captured by the BBC shows the rocket’s first stage catching fire and being engulfed in flames. 

RFA issued an update on X, reporting there was an anomaly that led to the loss of the first stage. No one was injured and the launch pad is secured. 

The launcher is preparing for an orbital vertical launch from the SaxaVord Spaceport, which could be the first vertical launch from the United Kingdom. RFA had previously targeted this month and was working toward the mission. 

“We develop iteratively with an emphasis on real testing. This is part of our philosophy and we were aware of the higher risks attached to this approach. Our goal is to return to regular operations as soon as possible.” “We will take our time to analyze and assess the situation,” the company wrote in an update. 

The UK Civil Aviation Authority, which regulates space launch in the United Kingdom, said a safety review is underway. 

The SaxaVord spaceport confirmed that all safety protocols were observed. 

 “This was a test, and test campaigns are designed to identify issues prior to the next stage,” a spokesman for the spaceport said in a statement on X. “We will work with RFA to understand and learn from the causes and support them as they move forward to the next phase of their preparations.”