Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), founded in 2018, is a German NewSpace company focused on providing affordable and flexible launch services for small satellites. As a launch provider, RFA is currently developing its RFA One rocket, designed for low-Earth orbit missions and aiming to reduce launch costs by using standard industrial components and efficient production technologies. RFA's partners include companies like Conflux Technology and launch sites such as SaxaVord Spaceport, with the German Aerospace Center (DLR) as a customer. Key activities include rocket development, engine testing, and securing launch facilities to offer comprehensive space deployment services.
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NordSpace has acquired land for Rocket Factory 2.
Rocket Factory 1 has a capacity of 255 employees and is expected to be fully operational over the coming months.
NordSpace plans to build Rocket Factory 2 as a larger 200,000-square-foot facility.
Rocket Factory 1 can produce 10 small satellites at the same time using the Space Systems Lab.
Rocket Factory 1 can build 10 small satellites at the same time using NordSpace’s Space Systems Lab.
Rocket Factory 1 will be used in part for Taiga to advance internal talent development, launch operations experience, and in-flight testing of critical technologies for Tundra.
Construction of Rocket Factory 2 is expected to start later this year.
Rocket Factory 1 includes the Advanced Manufacturing for Aerospace Lab, the Space Systems Lab, several ISO-class clean rooms, manufacturing areas, test facilities, and a mission control centre.
Rocket Factory 1 is 10 times larger than NordSpace’s previous headquarters.
Rocket Factory 2 will be dedicated to the development and production of Tempest, NordSpace’s reusable medium-lift orbital launch vehicle.
NordSpace said Rocket Factory 1 follows a previously announced $8 million Canadian consortium led by NordSpace.
Rocket Factory 1 is expected to be fully operational over the coming months.
Rocket Factory Augsburg plans to use SaxaVord in Scotland as its initial launch base.
An anomaly during a first-stage ignition test in August 2024 destroyed Rocket Factory Augsburg's first stage.
Rocket Factory Augsburg's maritime license application specifies a possible launch window opening no earlier than July 1.
Rocket Factory Augsburg expects an initial launch cadence of up to four flights per year over the next two years if the first test is successful.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has filed a maritime license application for its Test Flight 1 from the SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, United Kingdom.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has been manufacturing a replacement first stage and improving the second stage of RFA-ONE since the August 2024 anomaly.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has submitted a marine license application for Test Flight 1 from SaxaVord Space.
Rocket Factory Augsburg's marine license application for Test Flight 1 specifies a potential launch window opening no earlier than July 1, 2026.