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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Neutron Star Systems UG and Rocket Factory Augsburg AG have signed an agreement to launch a demonstrator mission into low Earth orbit.
Rocket Factory Augsburg AG will launch Neutron Star Systems' demonstrator mission in 2023-07-01 on the RFA ONE launch system.
Rocket Factory Augsburg has a current no-earlier-than launch date of 2024-08-01 and is planning for a launch late in the summer.
Rocket Factory Augsburg was spun out of OHB in 2018.
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.
Isar Aerospace, Orbex, PLD Space, and Rocket Factory Augsburg are four startups selected for the European Flight Ticket Initiative that are working on small launch vehicles.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is developing the RFA One small launch vehicle and expected to be ready for a first launch in mid-2024.
The U.K. Space Agency is providing $4,300,000 to fund infrastructure and test equipment needed for Rocket Factory Augsburg’s launch.
Companies planning to launch from SaxaVord include ABL Space Systems, HyImpulse, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and Skyrora.
Rocket Factory Augsburg and ATMOS Space Cargo are collaborating on the Argo cargo vehicle concept for the ISS.
Rocket Factory Augsburg won the DLR Microlauncher competition organized by the German Space Agency in April 2022 and was awarded €11 million in prize money.
Marco Fuchs is the CEO of OHB, a German aerospace company supporting the small launch vehicle startup Rocket Factory Augsburg.
Rocket Factory Augsburg focuses on developing the RFA One small launcher since the company’s inception in 2018.
Rocket Factory Augsburg announced a consortium two months before Seville to develop Argo, a cargo service to the ISS and future commercial space stations.
The UK Space Agency committed $4,300,000 to assist Rocket Factory Augsburg’s preparatory efforts for its first flight.
RFA UK and SaxaVord Spaceport anticipate around 90 skilled jobs will be created locally when SaxaVord reaches full operational capability.
RFA UK was established to implement and operate a launch-specific system and test equipment to support RFA AG’s planned launches from SaxaVord Spaceport.
RFA UK (Rocket Factory Ltd) received £3.5 million to support its plans to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.
RFA AG plans to provide a regular cadence of launch services from SaxaVord Spaceport as one of the spaceport’s anchor customers.
RFA UK plans to launch the RFA ONE launch system from SaxaVord Spaceport in 2024-04-01.