YazataAug 31, 2021 05:16 AM (This post was last modified: Aug 31, 2021 06:00 AM by Yazata.)
Here's a German new-space start up called Rocket Factory Augsburg. They have about 100 employees and are planning a reusable rocket for a first flight in about a year.
It will be a three stage kerosene and LOX rocket and will be about 30 meters tall and two meters in diameter. Presumably only the first stage will be recovered. They hope to be able to launch 1.6 metric tonnes to low earth orbit and about 450 kg to geostationary orbit.
They have already been conducting cryogenic pressure tests of their first stage tanks.
YazataJan 13, 2023 12:32 AM (This post was last modified: Jan 13, 2023 12:34 AM by Yazata.)
Rocket Factory Augsburg is aiming towards their first launch attempt from Saxa Vord at the northern tip of the Shetland Islands, the northernmost point in the UK.
YazataJun 3, 2023 04:48 AM (This post was last modified: Jun 3, 2023 04:59 AM by Yazata.)
RFA just completed a full duration 280 second test-stand burn for their staged-combustion rocket engine.
I still don't know when they hope to launch their rocket. Two years ago it was supposed to be a year away. They seem to have adopted "Elon-time".
I like these guys! Best wishes to them! Europe needs multiple launch providers besides France's Arianespace. Competition is good, particularly if some of the providers have exciting new concepts. Right now, most of that innovative "new space" spirit is in the USA. Come on, Europeans! You can do it!
YazataMay 1, 2024 03:03 AM (This post was last modified: May 1, 2024 03:08 AM by Yazata.)
Rocket Factory Augsburg, the German "new space" company, has shipped one of their first stages to the launch site in the Shetland Islands for hot-fire static testing.
And they have already announced plans for a European cargo capsule, for space station supply missions. It's too big to fly aboard their little RFA-One (in the Rocketlab Electron class) and they say that they have a bigger follow-on rocket planned for after this first rocket succeeds.
YazataAug 20, 2024 12:11 AM (This post was last modified: Aug 20, 2024 12:15 AM by Yazata.)
Today Rocket Factory Augsburg was conducting a static fire of their first stage on their launch pad in Britain's Shetland Islands when what looked like a huge high pressure fuel leak erupted from the engines. Almost immediately the fuel and oxidizer tanks erupted in flames and the whole rocket was engulfed.
Reports are that there were no injuries and damage to the pad was just superficial. The rocket booster was a total loss.
... at least it didn't accidently launch itself or fall onto a town...
YazataAug 23, 2024 07:27 PM (This post was last modified: Aug 24, 2024 03:05 AM by Yazata.)
Video Statement from Rocket Factory Augsburg about the explosion of their flight 1 first stage during a static fire. It appears that an oxygen turbopump on one of the first stage engines violently exploded and ruptured fuel (kerosine) lines. The huge fuel leak combined with a huge oxygen leak combined to create a very intense fire, too big for the pad fire suppression system to deal with. Pad damage is minor, but their flight one booster is a total loss. They say that they have run these engines many times in static fires on test stands and are confident that the basic design is sound. While they had hoped to launch in just a few weeks, loss of their booster will set that back significantly, to 2025 apparently. Their flight 2 booster is currently under construction and will be used for a rescheduled flight 1 instead. This second booster has ~100 modifications that hopefully will mitigate loss of an engine on the pad or during ascent.
Overshadowed by the successful first flight of New Glenn and by the second (2 out of 2) Starship booster catch (marred by the spectacular loss of ship 33)...
...comes word that Britain's Civil Aviation Authority (the UK answer to the FAA) has granted a launch license to Rocket Factory Augsburg for launching their little rocket from Saxa Vord in the Shetland Islands. This is Britain's first vertical launch license.
Aug 31, 2021 05:16 AM
(This post was last modified: Aug 31, 2021 06:00 AM by Yazata.)
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