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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

RFA One

Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.

Rocket Factory AugsburgDevelopment
Admin
Variants
1
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
0
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
1,300 kg
Maximum payload capacity across listed variants and orbits.

Launch Cadence

Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.

YearHistorical missionsForecast launches
202601
202702
202803
202904
203005
203105
203205
203306
203406
203506
203606
203706
203806
203906
204006
204106

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

Performance Specs

Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
RFA One
SSO1,300 kg500 kmUnknownRocket Factory Augsburg RFA ONE
RFA One
MEO500 kg6,000 kmUnknownRocket Factory Augsburg RFA ONE

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch

No recent missions

No launched missions are linked to variants in this family.

Forecasted Missions

Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.

MissionVariantAnnounced

No forecasted missions

No upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family.

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
RFA One
Not stated0Development
YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026SaxaVord Spaceport135%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2027SaxaVord Spaceport235%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2028SaxaVord Spaceport335%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2029SaxaVord Spaceport435%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2030SaxaVord Spaceport530%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2031SaxaVord Spaceport530%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2032SaxaVord Spaceport530%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2033SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2034SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2035SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2036SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2037SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2038SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2039SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2040SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
2041SaxaVord Spaceport625%Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year license...
SaxaVord Spaceport
2026 · 35% confidence
1

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2027 · 35% confidence
2

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2028 · 35% confidence
3

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2029 · 35% confidence
4

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2030 · 30% confidence
5

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2031 · 30% confidence
5

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2032 · 30% confidence
5

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2033 · 25% confidence
6

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2034 · 25% confidence
6

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2035 · 25% confidence
6

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2036 · 25% confidence
6

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

SaxaVord Spaceport
2037 · 25% confidence
6

Conservative startup-ramp annual family throughput default: RFA One is still pre-first-orbital-flight in 2026; use operational cadence, not the 10/year licensed ceiling.

RFA One
GTO
450 kg
Unknown
Unknown
Rocket Factory Augsburg RFA ONE
RFA One
TLI300 kgUnknownUnknownRocket Factory Augsburg RFA ONE
RFA One
GEO150 kgUnknownUnknownRocket Factory Augsburg RFA ONE
Track
Mentions
137
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

RFA ONE can launch 1,300 kilograms into Sun-synchronous orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.2Aug 18, 2025Frank Strang and SaxaVord: Europe’s first fully licensed vertical launch site

The RFA ONE vehicle can launch 1,300 kilograms into Sun-synchronous orbit.

Capability
Page4of7
Value 4.0
Aug 18, 2025
Frank Strang and SaxaVord: Europe’s first fully licensed vertical launch site

Rocket Factory Augsburg proposed in its European Launcher Challenge submission both launches of RFA ONE and development of an upgraded Block 2 version with increased payload capacity.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Jul 7, 2025The long recovery from a launcher crisis

Rocket Factory Augsburg experienced loss of the first stage of its RFA ONE during a static-fire test in August 2024.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 3.8Jul 7, 2025The long recovery from a launcher crisis

Rocket Factory Augsburg proposed to ESA both launches of RFA ONE and development of an upgraded Block 2 version with increased payload capacity.

PlanCapabilityRelationshipsValue 4.2Jul 7, 2025The long recovery from a launcher crisis

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) lost the first stage of its RFA ONE rocket in a fire during a static-fire test in August 2022.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.5Mar 31, 2025Europe’s launch challenge

Rocket Factory Augsburg received 11,800,000 EUR in Boost! funding to complete a new first stage and perform testing of it for the RFA ONE rocket.

FinancialCapabilityPlanValue 4.6Nov 19, 2024ESA awards funding to four European launch startups

The RFA ONE inaugural launch could take place as soon as September 2024 if testing goes well.

PlanValue 3.0Sep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

Rocket Factory Augsburg's RFA ONE rocket is undergoing final testing at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.

PlanCapabilityValue 3.0Sep 16, 2024Still waiting for liftoff in the UK

Rocket Factory Augsburg AG will launch Neutron Star Systems' demonstrator mission in 2023-07-01 on the RFA ONE launch system.

PlanGeneralRelationshipsValue 4.0Jun 3, 2024Neutron Star Systems + RFA sign agreement for demo mission

Rocket Factory Augsburg shipped the first stage of its RFA ONE rocket to SaxaVord Spaceport for a hotfire test ahead of its first launch later in 2023.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.3May 6, 2024Europe looks to end its launcher crisis

Rocket Factory Augsburg is developing the RFA One small launch vehicle and expected to be ready for a first launch in mid-2024.

PlanCapabilityGrowthValue 4.0Dec 18, 2023SaxaVord Spaceport receives U.K. license

SPACEMAST from DLR Braunschweig is a deployable SpaceMast Camera Mast mounted to the Redshift OTV of RFA ONE that can deploy a 7 m composite mast with a camera at its tip.

CapabilityValue 4.0Nov 29, 2023RFA Announces Eight Customers for Second Test Flight of RFA ONE Launcher

A jury of experts selected eight missions with a combined payload of 200 kg for the second test flight of RFA ONE into a sun-synchronous orbit at an altitude of 500 km.

PlanCapabilityGeneralValue 4.0Nov 27, 2023Rocket Factory Augsburg names eight customers on second flight

SpaceMast (DLR Braunschweig, Germany) is a deployable camera mast mounted to the Redshift OTV of RFA ONE that deploys a 7 m composite mast with a camera to full or intermediate lengths and can be retracted for OTV transfer maneuvers.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.7Nov 27, 2023Rocket Factory Augsburg names eight customers on second flight

Rocket Factory Augsburg focuses on developing the RFA One small launcher since the company’s inception in 2018.

CapabilityPlanValue 3.0Nov 15, 2023Rocket Factory Augsburg perceives historic moment for European launch industry

RFA One can alternatively carry 450 kg to geostationary transfer orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.0Nov 15, 2023Rocket Factory Augsburg perceives historic moment for European launch industry

RFA UK plans to launch the RFA ONE launch system from SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024-04-01.

PlanGrowthValue 4.2Nov 8, 2023UK Space Agency Supports RFA through BOOST Programme

The RFA ONE is a three-stage launch vehicle capable of deploying up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit.

CapabilityValue 4.6Nov 8, 2023UK Space Agency Supports RFA through BOOST Programme

Rocket Factory Augsburg earlier planned to launch the 30-meter-tall, three-stage RFA One rocket in the last quarter of 2023.

PlanValue 4.0Nov 3, 2023Norway opens Andøya spaceport