Test rocket launch from Shetland spaceport put on hold
The launch company has "encountered an issue" and will not use a five-week window starting on Monday.
Plans for a test rocket launch from Shetland's SaxaVord Spaceport have been postponed, according to the launch company, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), which cited an "issue" encountered after a successful week of pad tests in July.
The German firm stated it had disassembled the rocket for investigation. A five-week "launch window" was scheduled to commence on Monday, with temporary traffic restrictions planned for any flight attempt, but these are no longer necessary.
SaxaVord, the UK's first fully licensed vertical launch spaceport, is located in Unst, the northernmost point of the UK. Several companies aim to utilize it as a launch site for small commercial rockets, with RFA expected to be the first. However, RFA's current plans are now uncertain.
SaxaVord Spaceport confirmed that temporary traffic orders related to the launch window have been suspended "until further notice." A spokesperson added that no launch-related restrictions would be in effect between August 10 and September 14. The company expressed gratitude to the community for its "continued patience and support."
In August 2024, an RFA "hot-fire" test at the SaxaVord site resulted in an engine explosion.
Another company, HyImpulse Technologies GmbH (HyImpulse), has signed an agreement to launch a rocket from Shetland this year. This would mark the second flight of its SR75 suborbital launch vehicle, following a successful "lift off" in Australia. Residents will have opportunities to access viewing spaces for test flights.
Caroline Hunter, chair of the Unst Community Council, commended the company for prioritizing safety precautions. SaxaVord Spaceport had previously indicated that a four-hour exclusion zone, encompassing the spaceport and a sea area north of Unst, would be implemented for any test attempt during the five-week period.
Hunter noted that daily activities for residents had not been significantly impacted. "It hasn't really had a huge impact that I'm aware of," she said, adding, "I think people are generally positive, but there are some reservations."
Daniel Smith, the Scottish government's space envoy and founder of AstroAgency, expressed no surprise at the delay. "There are always going to be challenges," he stated. "We say in the industry that space is hard. Making sure that everything is right before going ahead is vital. You're dealing with fragile, high-value items." Smith believes a launch is "just a matter of time."
In July, RFA committed to providing updates as soon as confirmed information becomes available.