https://spacewatch.global/tag/rfa/ AN INDEPENDENT PERSPECTIVE ON SPACE Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:38:21 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://spacewatch.global/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SpaceWatchGlobal-Sign-90x90.png https://spacewatch.global/tag/rfa/ 32 32 https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/spacewatchgl-opinion-who-are-europes-next-space-unicorns-meet-10-companies-building-europes-space-future/ Mon, 25 Aug 2025 08:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=67291
Written by Ieva Sipola
As global space policy shifts, Europe faces a unique opportunity to build its own future in space. This moment has become a catalyst for the continent's most ambitious scale-ups and aspiring unicorns, who are ready to shape a more independent and resilient space sector. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2025/08/saxavord-spaceport-appoints-scott-hammond-as-new-ceo/ Wed, 20 Aug 2025 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=67233 SaxaVord has announced the appointment of Scott Hammond as its new CEO, following the death of co-founder Frank Strang. Following his appointment, Scott Hammond will take over the running of the compnay as it prepares to host a first test flight by rocket company RFA from the site at Lamba Ness in Unst, Shetland.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/11/space-nuggets-47-2024/ Sun, 24 Nov 2024 15:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62443 This week’s Space Nugget explores ESA’s Boost! programme and its impact on Europe’s space race. Dr. Emma Gatti reviews how the four winning companies—HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) are reshaping satellite launches with hybrid propulsion, carbon-efficient rockets, and 3D-printed engines. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/11/esa-signs-boost-contract-extensions-with-4-launch-providers/ Tue, 19 Nov 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=62352 The European Space Agency (ESA) has signed contract extensions with Hyimpulse, Isar Aerospace, Orbex and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) under its Boost! Program. Several first launches of new rockets are close in Europe and the months before an inaugural flight are critical for companies with large teams, many facilities and operations – but no launch system generating revenue yet. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/08/rfa-loses-first-stage-to-explosion-during-hot-fire-test/ Tue, 20 Aug 2024 06:00:15 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=56641 Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has reported the loss of its first stage during a hot fire test at the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland. The nine-engine test was part of several trials which RFA were performing before progressing to launch. However, the hot fire test saw the explosion of RFA's first stage. The Company has also stated that no lives were lost in the anomalous explosion. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2024/07/esa-council-facilitates-diverse-european-launch-services/ Mon, 08 Jul 2024 06:00:54 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=55971 The European Space Agency (ESA) Council has adopted a resolution setting the way for the ESA-developed Vega launcher to be commercialised by its prime contractor, Avio. The Resolution follows from an earlier resolution that the ESA Council adopted in Seville on 6 November 2023, calling upon the ESA Member States and the Director General to initiate a review of the legal framework governing the exploitation of ESA-developed launchers with the objective that Avio could become the operator and launch service provider of Vega as soon as possible]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/10/rfa-yuri-and-atmos-launch-microgravity-service/ Thu, 19 Oct 2023 06:00:49 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=51828 Three German NewSpace companies, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Yuri, and ATMOS Space Cargo (ATMOS), have announced their new partnership and launch of their joint end-to-end service for microgravity life science research and product development. The companies disclosed the partnership at this year's edition of the Weltraumkongress in Berlin, Germany. This holistic solution consequently represents an unprecedented and flexible alternative to the ISS laboratory and initiates a new generation of microgravity research. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/08/rfa-secures-e30m-from-kkr-to-develop-microlauncher/ Tue, 08 Aug 2023 06:00:57 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=50422 Launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) has raised a €30 million investment from KKR, a global investment firm. The fresh funding is a vote of confidence for RFA as global demand for access to space continues to grow.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/06/rfa-to-launch-from-kourou/ Wed, 21 Jun 2023 06:00:23 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49548 Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German launch service provider, has signed a binding term sheet with the French space agency CNES to offer its launch services from the Kourou Space Centre (CGS) in French Guiana. RFA will launch from the ELM-Diamant launch complex in 2025.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/06/rfa-completes-full-duration-upper-stage-fire/ Mon, 05 Jun 2023 06:00:36 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=49233 Launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) has successfully hot-fired its upper stage for a full duration of 280 seconds. This marks the successful completion of the Integrated System Test (IST) campaign, in which the Company integrated a staged combustion Helix engine into an upper-stage tank system and hot fired several times prior to completing the full duration in the final test. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2023/02/capitol-momentum-release-report-on-german-microlaunchers/ Thu, 02 Feb 2023 08:00:48 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=46351 Capitol Momentum, German research and market intelligence company, and UK-based space news outlet European Spaceflight have partnered to release an analysis on micro space launchers in Germany. The report is titled "The Road to the Launchpad: A Comparative Analysis of Germany’s Microlaunchers."]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/09/spaceflight-and-rocket-factory-partner-to-fly-sherpa-otvs-from-europe/ Tue, 20 Sep 2022 06:00:16 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=43411 Space transportation provider Spaceflight, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for upcoming launches with launch services provider Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), RFA said. Under the agreement, Spaceflight will fly its Sherpa orbital transfer vehicles (OTV) and other rideshare payloads on upcoming RFA missions.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/09/rocket-factory-and-esa-sign-boost-program-contract/ Wed, 14 Sep 2022 06:00:02 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=43331 Launch services company Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA), signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) under ESA's Commercial Space Transportation Services and Support program, Boost!, Rocket Factory said. Both parties aim for the commercialization of European space transportation, challenging current processes.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/07/rfa-successfully-hot-fires-helix-engine/ Thu, 14 Jul 2022 06:00:00 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=42119 Launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), successfully tested its Helix engine in flight configuration for a total of 74 seconds, the company reported. The test included long-duration hot firings of 30 and 40 seconds each, preceded by a short test of four seconds of the same engine. The tests reached the desired duration, Helix operated nominally and was shut down safely. ]]> https://spacewatch.global/2022/04/rfa-wins-e11-million-in-dlr-microlauncher-competition/ Tue, 26 Apr 2022 07:00:36 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=40619 Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) won the 2022 round of the German Aerospace Center’s (DLR) microlauncher competition with a prize value of €11 million, RFA announced. As a result, the German government became an anchor customer of the RFA One launch service.]]> https://spacewatch.global/2021/07/rfa-test-fired-its-staged-combustion-engine/ Mon, 26 Jul 2021 06:00:09 +0000 https://spacewatch.global/?p=34610&preview=true&preview_id=34610 The launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has successfully tested its staged combustion engine and thus marked the entry of the first European player in this technology segment, the company said. RFA’s eight-second engine test was conducted in Kiruna, Sweden, the company said. ]]>