Rocket Factory Augsburg targets RFA ONE launch from UK spaceport

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is working toward the first flight of its RFA ONE rocket, which is planned to launch from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands before the end of 2026. The three-stage rocket, supported by the European Space Agency (ESA), is designed to carry payloads of up to 1,300 kg to low Earth orbit using Helix ORSC engines.

The company has faced technical setbacks, including a fire in August 2024 that resulted in the total loss of a first-stage prototype. While earlier launch targets for 2024 or 2025 were missed, the company remains focused on its upcoming missions.

The development of RFA is part of a growing aerospace sector in Bavaria, Germany. As traditional industries like automotive manufacturing face challenges, the space industry is expanding, supporting approximately 10,000 jobs in the region. Companies such as MT Aerospace, which supplies materials for the Ariane 6, and MTU Aero Engines are key contributors to this regional aerospace ecosystem.