German aerospace startup RFA (Rocket Factory Augsburg) is weeks away from its first orbital launch attempt. This was announced by the company’s executive director.
History of Rocket Factory Augsburg
RFA was founded in 2018. Like many other similar startups, it focused on building a cheap launch vehicle designed to put small satellites into Earth orbit. It was named RFA One.
The RFA One rocket has a two-stage design with the option of adding an extra third stage/booster. Its length is 30 m (in a three-stage configuration) and its diameter is 2 m. RFA One uses kerosene as propellant and liquid oxygen as oxidizer.
In its most powerful version, RFA One will be capable of launching 1,600 kg to LEO, 1,300 kg to a 500-kilometer sun-synchronous orbit, 450 kg to a geo-transition orbit, and up to 150 kg on a trajectory to the Moon. According to statements by the startup’s management, the cost of launching the rocket will be around 3 million euros.
Date of the first orbital launch of RFA One
At the moment, the rocket’s two stages, booster, and payload have already been delivered to SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands (UK). The second stage and the RFA One upper stage have passed all necessary tests.
As for the first stage, engineers performed a fire test that involved four of the nine Helix engines. Next on the line is a test that will involve all nine engines. For now, the company’s representatives don’t give an exact date for the first attempt to launch RFA ONE, but they emphasize that it will take place soon and the count is already running into weeks.
According to Spacenews
