First rocket test at Shetland spaceport a success

The first rocket test has taken place at the UK's brand new spaceport and it was a success.

The test took place on the island of Unst in Shetland, where the port will be used to send rockets into space later this year.

The German company RFA fired their engines for 8 seconds, an important test ahead of the first mission.

Dr Paul Bate, who is the head of the UK Space Agency, said the test was a "big moment".

The test was said to be a "big moment"

Dr Bate said the launch was a "big moment" where a "lot can go wrong" but said it appears to have been very successful.

He said he hopes the UK can become a leading nation for launching small satellites in Europe.

RFA, the company behind the launch, said their test-firing had been a full success.

The co-founder and chief operating officer Dr Stefan Brieschenk said they will test nine more engines at the end of the bird-breeding season in SaxaVord.

The spaceport hopes to send rockets into space later this year

Another space launch is set to take place next year from the Sutherland Spaceport which is on the Scottish mainland, only this one will be a rocket from the UK company Orbex.