Health & Safety Animation for Rocket Engine Testing
The Challenge
Nammo UK, a UK-based aerospace company specialising in rocket engines, needed a clear and engaging way to communicate their on-site activities to the general public.
With rocket engine testing involving loud bangs, visible exhaust plumes and active safety signalling, there was a risk that passers-by could misinterpret these events as dangerous or cause for concern. Nammo UK needed content that would proactively address this, reassuring the public while maintaining transparency around their operations.
The brief was to create an accessible animation that could explain in simple terms what happens during a hot fire test, what visual and audible cues to expect and how safety is managed on-site. The content needed to work both as a physical on-site display and as a shareable digital asset across platforms such as their website and LinkedIn.
At stake was public perception, trust and the ability to communicate complex and exciting aerospace processes in a way that felt clear, safe and approachable.
Pssst… a little behind-the-scenes Easter egg:
The engineers at the control panel were modelled on Nammo UK’s real-life engineering team!
The Solution
Nammo UK partnered with salamandra.uk to create an engaging animated explainer tailored for a non-specialist audience.
The approach focused on simplifying complex engineering processes without losing accuracy. Key moments of the hot fire testing sequence - such as oxidiser and fuel flow, ignition and shutdown procedures - were distilled into clear, easy-to-follow visuals and narration.
To ensure the content felt reassuring rather than intimidating, the animation adopted a playful, (please never use cartoony!) illustrative visual style. This creative direction helped soften the perception of large-scale rocket testing while maintaining professionalism, clarity and inspire excitement for the industry.
Particular emphasis was placed on visual communication, including:
The distinction between sea level testing facilities
The appearance of engine firing, including exhaust plumes
The meaning of on-site safety indicators, warning announcements and flashing beacons
The Execution
Our team translated Nammo UK’s script into a structured visual narrative that guides the viewer through the entire testing process, from engine setup and ignition through to post-test safety procedures and into space.
The animation clearly illustrates the roles within the control room, the layout of the test site and the sequence of events during a hot fire test, including ignition, firing and purging procedures. Each stage was designed to prioritise clarity, ensuring viewers could understand what was happening without any prior technical knowledge.
The visual style was deliberately light and engaging while still grounded in real-world processes. Sound design and visual cues were carefully considered to reflect the intensity of testing while reinforcing that all activity is controlled and expected.
The final piece was optimised for multiple environments, ensuring it could function effectively both on-site and across digital platforms such as LinkedIn as a reusable health and safety communication asset.
The Results
The finished animation provided Nammo UK with a clear, engaging tool to communicate directly with the public, helping to reduce potential concern around visible and audible testing activity.
By proactively explaining what happens during engine tests and what safety signals to look out for, the animation supports greater transparency and trust with the surrounding community. It also strengthens Nammo UK’s ability to present their work in a way that is both informative and accessible.
As a reusable asset, the animation continues to deliver value beyond its initial use case, supporting on-site communication, social media engagement and broader brand storytelling.
