Rocket Factory Augsburg

German small launch vehicle developer building the RFA ONE orbital rocket

Overview

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is a German aerospace manufacturer developing the RFA ONE, a three-stage orbital launch vehicle designed for the small satellite market. Founded in 2018 in Augsburg, Bavaria, the company aims to provide cost-effective and flexible launch services for payloads up to 1,300 kg to low Earth orbit. RFA ONE uses liquid oxygen and kerosene propellants with staged combustion engines developed in-house.

The company operates from a former MAN Energy Solutions factory site in Augsburg, where it manufactures engines and integrates launch vehicles. RFA has established test facilities in Esrange, Sweden, and secured launch agreements with multiple European spaceports including SaxaVord in the UK and Andøya in Norway.

Rocket Factory Augsburg positions itself as part of Europe's emerging commercial launch sector, competing with other small launcher startups to reduce dependence on foreign launch providers. The company emphasizes rapid manufacturing, reusability research, and vertical integration of propulsion systems. RFA is backed by OHB SE, a major European space systems manufacturer, which provides strategic support and market access. The company's development approach focuses on proven technologies rather than experimental concepts, aiming for operational reliability and commercial viability in the growing small satellite launch market.

Products & Vehicles

RFA ONE

RFA ONE is a three-stage expendable launch vehicle designed for small satellite missions to sun-synchronous and low Earth orbits. The vehicle stands approximately 30 meters tall with a diameter of 2 meters and a liftoff mass of around 62,000 kg.

First stage: Powered by nine Helix engines using staged combustion cycle with liquid oxygen (LOX) and kerosene propellants. Combined thrust approximately 450 kN at sea level.

Second stage: Single Helix engine optimized for vacuum operation.

Third stage: Single Redshift engine using pressure-fed LOX/kerosene.

Performance:

Payload to LEO (400 km): ~1,300 kg
Payload to SSO (500 km): ~1,000 kg

Status: Vehicle is under development with component testing ongoing. First orbital flight targeted for no earlier than August 10, 2026, from SaxaVord Spaceport, following recovery from a 2024 test anomaly.

Helix Engine

RFA's primary engine using staged combustion cycle, designed for both sea-level and vacuum variants. Thrust class approximately 50 kN per engine. The engine uses 3D-printed components to reduce manufacturing time and cost. Multiple static fire tests have been conducted at RFA facilities and test sites in Sweden.

Track Record

Heritage

2018: Rocket Factory Augsburg founded by former Airbus and OHB engineers Stefan Brieschenk, Jörn Spurmann, and Markus Brandl.

2019: OHB SE acquired majority stake in RFA, providing strategic backing and integration into the European space industry.

2020: Established manufacturing facility at the former MAN Energy Solutions site in Augsburg. Began development of the Helix staged combustion engine.

2021: Conducted first Helix engine static fire tests. Announced launch partnerships with SaxaVord Spaceport (Scotland) and Andøya Space (Norway).

2022: Performed multiple engine test campaigns at Esrange Space Center in Sweden. Progressed development of full vehicle stages.

2023: Continued integration testing of RFA ONE stages. Conducted qualification tests for propulsion systems. Expanded workforce and manufacturing capacity in Augsburg.

2024 (August): Major test anomaly during first-stage hot fire test at SaxaVord Spaceport. An oxygen fire in one turbopump propagated to neighboring engines, causing loss of the stage and significant pad damage. RFA identified the root cause and initiated a comprehensive technical overhaul.

2025 (April): Dr. Indulis Kalnins appointed CEO, replacing Dr. Stefan Tweraser. Kalnins brings deep space engineering experience ahead of the company's inaugural launch attempt.

2025: Completed 18-month technical overhaul — over 100 improvements implemented across the Helix engine, tank pressurization systems, and ground operating procedures. New first stage manufactured incorporating all lessons learned from the 2024 incident.

2026 (February): New umbilical tower (52 m) raised at SaxaVord Spaceport, providing propellant, power, and data connections for RFA ONE.

2026 (March): First and second stages of the rebuilt RFA ONE shipped to SaxaVord Spaceport. Nine Helix engines undergoing final acceptance testing at Kiruna, Sweden, to be delivered and mated to the first stage on-site.

Roadmap

Rocket Factory Augsburg is targeting an inaugural orbital launch of RFA ONE from SaxaVord Spaceport in the summer of 2026, with a five-week launch window opening no earlier than August 10, 2026 (Monday/Wednesday/Friday, 16:00-20:00 UK time). All major hardware — first and second stages — is already at the launch site, and the nine Helix engines are completing final acceptance tests in Kiruna before on-site integration.

Following a successful maiden flight, RFA plans to transition into series production starting 2028, scaling toward a cadence of up to 25 launches per year. The company maintains active launch agreements with multiple European spaceports, including SaxaVord (Scotland) and Andøya (Norway), offering flexible orbital inclinations for commercial customers.

ESA's Flight Ticket Initiative has awarded RFA additional missions, and the company has secured a customer manifest including small satellite operators. Longer-term plans include exploring first-stage reusability and higher-capacity variants, though specific timelines remain undisclosed pending results of the inaugural flight.

FAQ

What does Rocket Factory Augsburg do?

Rocket Factory Augsburg is a German aerospace company developing the RFA ONE small satellite launch vehicle. The company designs and manufactures orbital rockets capable of delivering up to 1,300 kg to low Earth orbit, targeting the commercial small satellite launch market.

Who founded Rocket Factory Augsburg?

Rocket Factory Augsburg was founded in 2018 by Stefan Brieschenk, Jörn Spurmann, and Markus Brandl, all former engineers from major European aerospace companies including Airbus and OHB.

Where is Rocket Factory Augsburg headquartered?

Rocket Factory Augsburg is headquartered in Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany, where it operates manufacturing and integration facilities in a former MAN Energy Solutions factory site.

When is Rocket Factory Augsburg's first launch?

Rocket Factory Augsburg has not yet conducted an orbital launch. The company's inaugural RFA ONE flight is targeted for no earlier than August 10, 2026, from SaxaVord Spaceport, following recovery from a test anomaly in August 2024.

Is Rocket Factory Augsburg publicly traded?

No, Rocket Factory Augsburg is not publicly traded. The company is privately held with OHB SE, a publicly-traded European space systems manufacturer, holding a majority stake since 2019.