ESA Boost! for RFA One Launch Services
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German startup developing the three-stage RFA One orbital launch vehicle designed to operate at a high cadence, has received a contract worth €11.72 m from ESA's Boost! commercial space transportation services programme.
ESA is partnering with RFA for the completion of the pre-commercial development of the new launch service and demonstration of RFA One operational capabilities. The ambitious work programme covers the preparation and execution of the first and second stage integrated test campaigns that will include full-duration hot fire tests.
The Boost! co-funded activities also cover the first two orbital demonstration flights of the RFA One prototype. In line with RFA’s selection as a winner of a microlauncher competition organised by the German Space Agency at DLR, these two flights will each host payloads of up to 150 kg, to be selected by DLR (see the Announcement of Opportunity here).
Finally, 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.
Celebrating the contract signature alongside RFA Chief Commercial Officer Jörn Spurmann, ESA Director of Space Transportation Daniel Neuenschwander noted: “Europe has the advanced technologies and entrepreneurial spirit to transform the market for small satellite launch services. Now is the time to move quickly and demonstrate progress.”
Through the Boost! Programme, ESA is promoting and stimulating the development of new European privately-led space transportation services and commercial business opportunities by providing entrepreneurs with co-funding and access to ESA’s expertise and facilities.
RFA, backed by the German satellite manufacturer OHB and Munich-based venture capital firm Apollo Capital Partners, is developing RFA One around a highly automated manufacturing concept, inspired by automotive industry mass production. 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.
