A rocket engine exploded at Shetland’s Saxavord Spaceport during a launch test by German company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).

According to the company, no one was injured as a result of the explosion, and the launch pad itself was secured and saved from damage.

The engine exploded as a result of a nine-engine test, just one of many trials RFA must take before performing what would be the UK’s first vertical launch into orbit.

Other spaceports in the UK, such as Cornwall Spaceport, launch rockets horizontally, with aircraft support. When Saxavord was first given approval in 2023 to begin orbital launches, it became the first fully-licensed spaceport able to do vertical launches into orbit in Western Europe.

Saxavord Spaceport said in a statement that all safety standards were followed, and no staff were at risk of the explosion as the site had been evacuated before the test.

“This was a test, and test campaigns are designed to identify issues prior to the next stage,” a spokesperson said.

“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.”

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The engine explosion comes after the first rocket test on the site, which was successful, was carried out on the Shetland island Unst just three months before.

Back in 2023, RFA received £3.5 million in funding to continue conducting tests and developing the necessary infrastructure to support orbital launches of its rockets at Saxavord.

Saxavord Spaceport is allotted 30 launches per year to launch satellites and other materials into space, but rigorous testing is required before a full launch can take place.

Among those interested in using the port besides RFA are Edinburgh-based Skyrora and German company Hylmpulse.

Hylmpulse and Saxavord recently entered an agreement to start orbital launches in late 2025, with sub-orbital launches supposed to be occurring this month after three years of engine tests by the company.