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.
Domestic small-launch providers such as Rocket Factory Augsburg, Isar Aerospace, and HyImpulse are likely to receive increased support from the funding.
Isar Aerospace, Rocket Factory Augsburg, Latitude, and PLD Space have signed an initial feasibility agreement to operate their rockets from the facility for a minimum of ten years.
Rocket Factory Augsburg uses a Helix engine that employs a staged combustion cycle and provides approximately 30% more payload capacity compared with traditional open-cycle engines.
Rocket Factory Augsburg conducted a successful four-engine hotfire test at SaxaVord in May 2024.
Rocket Factory Augsburg uses factory concepts, serial production, and techniques such as 3-D printing to lower launch costs.
ESA selected five companies to advance in the European Launcher Challenge on July 7, 2025: Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, Orbex, PLD Space, and Rocket Factory Augsburg.
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.
ESA selected five companies to advance on July 7: Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, Orbex, PLD Space, and Rocket Factory Augsburg.
Rocket Factory Augsburg experienced loss of the first stage of its RFA ONE during a static-fire test in August 2024.
Rocket Factory Augsburg proposed to ESA both launches of RFA ONE and development of an upgraded Block 2 version with increased payload capacity.
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) lost the first stage of its RFA ONE rocket in a fire during a static-fire test in August 2022.
The additional 95,000,000 EUR for ESA’s Boost! program is intended to assist HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, and Rocket Factory Augsburg as they prepare to compete in the European Launcher Challenge.
The German government allocated 95,000,000 EUR to ESA’s Boost! program on 2024-12-19 to support German launch companies HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, and Rocket Factory Augsburg.
Rocket Factory Augsburg plans to return to SaxaVord Spaceport for a launch attempt sometime in 2025.
ESA extended the Boost! contracts with HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex and Rocket Factory Augsburg on 2024-11-19.
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.
ESA is extending contracts with HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex and Rocket Factory Augsburg worth a combined 44,220,000 EUR through its Boost! program to assist in integrated testing of their launch vehicles.
Rocket Factory Augsburg posted on social media 2024-10-14 that Europe has completely lost touch with launch capabilities and called for European governments to serve as anchor customers for new launch vehicles, increased investment, and a framework that promotes unbureaucratic, fast, risk-taking development.
Rocket Factory Augsburg experienced a static-fire explosion that ended its plans to perform the first vertical launch to orbit from British soil from SaxaVord 2024.
Rocket Factory Augsburg's RFA ONE rocket is undergoing final testing at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.