Posted: Sat, Aug 24, 2024, 12:08 PM ET (1608 GMT)
The first stage of Rocket Factory Augsburg's first rocket exploded on a test stand Monday, just weeks before its anticipated launch. The Germany company said the stage for its RFA ONE rocket was destroyed in a static-fire test late Monday at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. Video of the test showed an explosion at the base of the stage at engine ignition, starting a fire that consumed the stage. The test was one of the last planned for the rocket before a launch that was expected for this fall from the spaceport. That launch was to have been the first for RFA and the first vertical orbital launch from the United Kingdom.

Related Links:

•  SpaceNews article
•  BBC article
•  The Guardian
•  The Scotsman article
•  Shetland News article