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Satellite launch company RFA UK (Rocket Factory Ltd) has secured £3.5m in funding from the UK Space Agency as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Boost! Programme. The funding aims to aid innovative companies in developing new launch technologies and bringing them to market.

RFA UK will utilize the funding to develop and operate the necessary infrastructure and test equipment required for launching from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. They are planning to conduct their first launch in the second quarter of 2024.

The company anticipates the creation of approximately 90 skilled jobs once the spaceport reaches full operational capacity. These jobs will encompass various aspects of spaceport operations and administration, integration, testing, and launch.

RFA UK is a subsidiary of Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA AG) and is headquartered in Grantown-on-Spey, Scotland. The company has exclusive access to SaxaVord’s “Fredo” launch pad, where it plans to provide regular launch services as one of the spaceport’s anchor customers.

The RFA ONE launch vehicle, measuring 30 meters tall and two meters wide, is a three-stage launch vehicle capable of deploying payloads of up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit. It employs efficient and environmentally friendly Helix staged-combustion engines, stainless steel tanks, and standardized components from other industries to offer flexible, low-cost, and precise transportation into orbit with its Redshift OTV.

The UK government’s investment in RFA UK demonstrates the commitment to make the UK Europe’s leading destination for launch activities. The funding supports the government’s vision for the UK to become Europe’s most attractive launch destination by 2030. The funding provided by the UK Space Agency also includes grants to Lockheed Martin for establishing launch operations from SaxaVord Spaceport and building a small launch orbital maneuvering vehicle.

The support from the UK Space Agency showcases confidence in RFA UK’s approach, affirming their position as pioneers in European commercial spaceflight. The company is grateful for the unwavering confidence demonstrated by the European Space Agency.

The funding received by RFA UK will aid in progressing towards launch from SaxaVord Spaceport, the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport. The Scottish space sector continues to thrive, with increased income and job creation, and this funding will help support launches from SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, maintaining UK leadership in this sector.

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