On: Autophage rocket engine consumes plastic fuselage ...

[londons_explore]

The text of the article totally fails to mention that the rocket blew up fairly spectacularly 1 minute 30 into the test...

See the video.

[stronglikedan → londons_explore]

If your first test doesn't fail, then you're missing an opportunity to collect extremely valuable data.

[vlachen → londons_explore]

The discussion in the comments indicates that the test included a run outside of it's operational range for pulsed firing, with the intent to see how it would react.

[inopinatus → londons_explore]

Stressing components to destruction is a commonplace product development activity, including rocketry.

[dtgriscom → londons_explore]

Props to Glasgow U for showing exactly that. It takes confidence to show how you make sausage.