Rocket issue sees Scotland's first space launch delayed

SaxaVord Spaceport is on the north of Unst, Shetland <i>(Image: NQ)</i>
SaxaVord Spaceport is on the north of Unst, Shetland (Image: NQ)
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Scotland's first ever space launch has been delayed after an issue wwas found with the rocket.

Rocket Factory Augsburg has been given permission to launch from the SaxaVord spaceport in Shetland, and a successful launch would be the first time satellites have been carried into space from Scottish, or British, soil.

Its launch vehicle, the RFA One, is designed to transport small and micro-satellites of up to 1,300 kg into low-Earth polar and Sun-synchronous orbits but has yet to successfully launch.

The launch window for the rocket opens on August 10 and hot fire testing had begun, but it was announced this week that an 'issue' has been detected.


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RFA said: "After a successful week of testing RFA ONE on the pad for the first time, we encountered an issue with the vehicle that requires further investigation.

"We have made the decision to de-stack the vehicle in order to investigate. We will provide further updates as soon as confirmed information is available."

The project has seen setbacks in the past.

In August 2024 the first stage burst into flames on the launch pad due to an oxygen fire in one of the turbopumps, setting all nine engines on fire.

Another company, Orbex, was aiming to launch from Shetland but went into administration in February after failing to secure sufficient funding.

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