A hot fire test of Rocket Factory Augsburg's RFA One ended in an explosion at the Scottish spaceport SaxaVord.
Scottish spaceport rocket explosion
The test was carried out at the Shetland site yesterday ahead of a planned launch later this year but ended abruptly after the first stage exploded.
A spokesperson for the spaceport told The Register that it was "way too early to say" when SaxaVord would be able to support another test or launch due to an ongoing investigation.
RFA One is a three-stage rocket capable of sending up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO). Nine Helix engines power the first stage. In May, the company conducted the first hot-fire test of four Helix engines at SaxaVord. Yesterday's test was one of the last before a launch attempt.
