German Rocket Engine Blazes Trail At Scottish Spaceport

In a major milestone for Europe's space ambitions, German rocket company Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) successfully completed its first "hot fire" test campaign at the SaxaVord Spaceport last week. This crucial test paves the way for a potential first orbital launch from Shetland later this year.

A "hot fire" test ignites a rocket engine on the ground, mimicking the conditions of an actual launch. RFA's test focused on their first stage, equipped with a cluster of their Helix engines. The company reports the 20-second test ran flawlessly, with all four engines igniting individually before running simultaneously for eight seconds.

"This test successfully demonstrated our ability to operate and control the first stage and all its systems, including the Helix engines," said an RFA spokesperson. This achievement comes on the heels of SaxaVord Spaceport receiving its range control license in April, allowing them to manage airspace and sea traffic during launches.

The success of the hot fire test is a significant step forward for RFA's launch aspirations. They plan to use the same technologies tested at SaxaVord for their upcoming first test flight, not just in Scotland but also in Augsburg, Portugal, and Sweden.

This development marks a significant moment for Europe's space industry. With established players like SpaceX dominating the launch market, RFA's potential to conduct orbital launches from European soil could be a game-changer.