UK Government Bolsters Rocket Factory Augsburg’s Shetland Islands Expansion

Rocket Factory Augsburg Receives £3.5 Million Funding Boost for Satellite Launches

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has secured a £3.5 million funding boost from the UK Space Agency to support its plans for vertically launching satellites from the SaxaVord spaceport in the Shetland Islands.

The funding, provided through the European Space Agency's Boost! programme, will be received by RFA's UK subsidiary, granting exclusive access to the site's Launch Pad Fredo for orbital launches.

"The support received from the UK Space Agency underscores their strong confidence in our approach," said Jörn Spurmann, managing director of RFA UK and chief commercial officer of RFA AG. "We are eagerly anticipating our inaugural orbital launch from the SaxaVord Spaceport in the UK."

"This event will further cement our position as the pioneers in European commercial spaceflight. At the same time, it demonstrates the unwavering confidence the European Space Agency has in our strategy. With the UK contributing as the third nation to the RFA ONE development via C-STS Boost!, we solidify our role as a genuine European launch service provider and the most endorsed commercial launch service development within the C-STS Boost! Programme. We are absolutely delighted to reciprocate this faith and support."

Once the spaceport achieves full operational capability, it is expected to create around 90 skilled jobs locally, including spaceport operations and administration, integration, testing, and launch.

The German startup, RFA, is currently developing a three-stage RFA One orbital launch vehicle. The SaxaVord spaceport, located on the Lamba Ness peninsula site in Unst, will host the debut launch of the RFA ONE rocket, scheduled for the second quarter of 2024. The company successfully completed its upper stage hot fire test in June 2023.

"Our investment in Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) UK demonstrates our continued commitment to make the UK Europe's leading destination for launch by encouraging the development of launch companies," said Matt Archer, Director of Launch at the UK Space Agency.

"This contract will help RFA UK and SaxaVord Spaceport prepare for their first launch, creating high skilled jobs and supporting the Government's vision for the UK to be Europe's most attractive launch destination by 2030."

The UK science minister, George Freeman, highlighted the government's space-related programs, stating, "Through our £1.5 billion UK space funding programs, the Government is backing satcomms technology, space science, missions, and infrastructure to support the commercial satellite sector."

"This £3.5 million investment will enable RFA UK to develop the technologies necessary to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, creating dozens of jobs locally and growing the Scottish cluster as a key part of the UK space sector."

In December, SaxaVord Spaceport announced partnerships with Lerwick Engineering and Fabrication (LEF) and T12 Consultancy to deliver a rocket launch rail, a critical component for directing launch vehicles and allowing for suborbital launches.

Previously, in July 2022, the spaceport completed a test exercise at its site, known as "Operation Freya," up to the point of launch.

It is worth noting that RFA still requires approval from the UK's Civil Aviation Authority for orbital missions from SaxaVord, as reported by Space News. This approval is significant, as the Virgin Orbit launch from Cornwall was delayed due to a lack of CAA approval.

Image: Rocket Factory Augsburg

Source: Space.com