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.
All verified mentions of this organization in source documents.
The PLD Space rocket factory project in Porta d'Elx is planned to double PLD Space’s current workforce to nearly 1,000 employees by mid-2028.
PLD Space, the president of the Generalitat Valenciana Juanfran Pérez Llorca, and the mayor of Elche Pablo Ruz signed a memorandum of understanding to build a new rocket factory in the Porta d'Elx industrial estate.
The operators selected for the European Launcher Challenge include Orbex, Germany's Isar, Germany's Rocket Factory Augsburg, France's MaiaSpace, and Spain's PLD Space.
The vertical launch licences granted in 2025 to Skyrora and Rocket Factory Augsburg each set the indemnity cap at £10.5 million.
Rocket Factory Augsburg transported the first stage of its RFA ONE rocket to SaxaVord Spaceport on the island of Unst off the northern coast of Scotland.
The indemnity caps in the Virgin Orbit, Skyrora, and Rocket Factory Augsburg licences were imposed as a matter of policy rather than as a statutory requirement prior to the 2025 Act.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is likely to be the next operator to attempt a launch from UK soil since Virgin Orbit’s failed flight in January 2023.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is commissioning the SaxaVord launch pad and preparing the RFA ONE upper stage for transport with a launch expected in 2026 but no specific launch date provided.
SaxaVord Spaceport is located on the island of Unst off the northern coast of Scotland and is preparing to host launches including a reattempt of Rocket Factory Augsburg’s RFA ONE.
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has resumed the countdown to attempt the inaugural flight of its RFA ONE rocket nearly a year and a half after an accident destroyed the vehicle's first stage during a hot-fire test.
Rocket Factory Augsburg manufactured a new first stage after the August 2024 accident and refined the vehicle's design.
If RFA ONE's first flight succeeds, Rocket Factory Augsburg expects an initial launch cadence of up to four launches per year during the subsequent two years.
A replacement first stage for RFA ONE is being transported from Rocket Factory Augsburg's headquarters in Augsburg, Germany, to the island of Unst.
Indulis Kalnins became CEO of Rocket Factory Augsburg in April 2025.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has begun commissioning the launch pad at SaxaVord after repairing and upgrading it following the accident.
On February 10, Rocket Factory Augsburg completed the erection of a new 52-meter-tall umbilical tower at SaxaVord.
Rocket Factory Augsburg will conduct a new static-fire test of the RFA ONE first stage once pad modifications and deluge-system tank installation are complete.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is conducting advanced launch preparations at the SaxaVord spaceport on the island of Unst, Scotland.
Rocket Factory Augsburg offers an optional upper stage named Redshift to increase mission versatility for RFA ONE.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is working toward a hot fire test of the RFA ONE rocket’s first stage.