ESA adds €2.7 million to Rocket Factory Augsburg Boost! contract
ESA is adding €2.7 million in Boost! co-funding to Rocket Factory Augsburg for SaxaVord ground and test infrastructure ahead of two RFA One test flights.
The story in focus
ESA has extended Rocket Factory Augsburg's Boost! contract with €2.7 million in additional co-funding. The money goes to ground and testing infrastructure at SaxaVord Spaceport in the UK, supporting preparations for the first two RFA One test flights, including engine hot-fire tests and second-stage testing.
- ESA provides an additional €2.7 million in Boost! co-funding for infrastructure and testing at SaxaVord Spaceport.
- The extension covers a test stand change for Helix 1.0 engine hot-fire tests and modification to accept RFA One second stages.
- It supports preparations for Test Flight-1 and Test Flight-2 of the RFA One launcher.
Contract extension and funding
The European Space Agency is extending its Boost! contract with Rocket Factory Augsburg by €2.7 million, according to ESA. The additional co-funding targets ground and testing infrastructure at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, UK. ESA said the contribution draws on UK Space Agency funding and is matched by RFA investment as the company prepares for a first test launch.
RFA received initial Boost! co-funding from ESA in 2022. The programme awards commercial initiatives offering transportation services to space, in space and returning from space, and also supports member states' spaceport and testing facility objectives.
Test stand work and vehicle
The extension will help implement an engine test stand change at SaxaVord so RFA can conduct hot-fire tests of its Helix 1.0 engines. It also covers a modification to the test stand to accept RFA One second stages before launch, ESA said.
RFA One is a three-stage orbital vehicle about 30 m tall and 2.15 m in diameter. In its current configuration it targets deployment of up to 500 kg to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit. The launcher is being developed in Augsburg, Germany.
Path to first flights
ESA said the contract extension supports preparations for RFA's Test Flight-1 and the following Test Flight-2. The first RFA One is already at SaxaVord, with hot-fire tests of the complete rocket on the launch pad described as coming soon, followed by the Test Flight-1 launch.
Stefan Brieschenk, RFA's Chief Development Officer, said the funding helps maintain momentum toward first flight. ESA's Jorgen Bru said the co-funding focuses on capabilities needed for safe flight operations at SaxaVord for the first test flights.
What does the extra €2.7 million pay for at SaxaVord?
ESA says the extension funds ground and testing infrastructure, including a test stand change for Helix 1.0 engine hot-fire tests and a modification to accept RFA One second stages before launch.
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