The German startup is developing a three-stage RFA One orbital launch vehicle – designed to operate at a high cadence – and ESA says it will be partnering with it for the demonstration of RFA One operational capabilities. This will cover first and second stage integrated test campaigns, including full-duration hot fire tests.
The Boost! co-funded activities will also cover the first two orbital demonstration flights of the RFA One prototype.
In line with RFA’s selection in April as a winner of a microlauncher competition organised by the German Space Agency at DLR, the two flights will each host payloads of up to 150 kg, to be selected by DLR..
ESA also states the Boost! contract supports the commissioning of an additional engine test bench at DLR’s Lampoldshausen site, “needed to maintain a production rate in line with RFA’s vision of providing high-cadence but low-cost services to orbit”.
“Europe has the advanced technologies and entrepreneurial spirit to transform the market for small satellite launch services,” said the ESA Director of Space Transportation, Daniel Neuenschwander. “Now is the time to move quickly and demonstrate progress.”
Space transportation
The Augsburg-based RFA is backed by the German satellite manufacturer OHB and Munich-based venture capital firm Apollo Capital Partners.
Equipped with staged-combustion engine technology, the launcher is designed to lift up to 1,300 kg to Sun-synchronous orbits. The present contract follows a first ESA Boost! contract with RFA from 2020.
In November 2020, Rocket Factory Augsburg was among three German businesses signed up by ESA following the agency’s call for proposals for commercial space transportation services.
It was part of the agency’s Boost! programme – Element 1 of which was launched in April 2020 – with the idea “to stimulate and support competitiveness and new commercial European space transportation services”.
