RFA One
| RFA One | |
|---|---|
| Country of Origin |  Germany |
| Manufacturer | Rocket Factory Augsburg AG |
| Launch Cost | ~€3 million[1] |
| Dimensions[2] | |
| Height | 30 m |
| Diameter | 2 m |
| Stages | 3 (two stages + Redshift OTV) |
| Payload Capability | |
| Mass |
|
| Scheduled launches | |
| Status | In development |
| First Launch | 2025 (planned)[3] |
| First stage[2] | |
| Engines | 9 × Helix - Staged combustion cycle |
| Thrust | 900 kN |
| Specific Impulse | 325 s |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Second stage[4] | |
| Engines | 1 × Helix Vac |
| Specific Impulse | 350 s |
| Propellant | RP-1/LOX |
| Third / orbital stage - "Redshift"[2] | |
| Engine | 1 × Fenix engine[5] |
| Thrust | 1.5 kN[5] |
| Propellant | Nitromethane fuel, Nitrous oxide[6] |
RFA One is a small-lift multistage launch vehicle with an on-orbit transfer stage designed to transport small and micro-satellites of up to 1,300 kg into into low-Earth polar and Sun-synchronous orbits. It has been in development by German private company Rocket Factory Augsburg since 2019.[4][7]
The vehicle is 30 m (98 ft) long with a diameter of 2 m (6 ft 7 in). Both main stages use RP-1 fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer, while the transfer stage uses storable propellants.[4]
Initially aiming to launch in 2022[4]—with subsequent delays moving the target to 2024—following an anomaly on a ground test stand in August 2024, the maiden launch is now slated for no earlier than 2025.[3]
Description
The first stage is powered by nine Helix engines, each producing 100 kN (22,000 lbf) of thrust.[4][8] The second stage will use a vacuum-optimised version of the Helix engine.[8] The Helix engine uses rocket grade kerosene, known as RP-1, fuel and liquid oxygen oxidizer.[4] During 2020 the company redesigned Helix from a gas-generator cycle to an oxygen-rich staged combustion cycle.[4] Some components used in early engine versions, such as the turbopump, were procured from the Ukrainian company Pivdenmash to shorten development time.[9] Later versions of these components have been developed internally.[citation needed]
The third (or "orbital") stage, named Redshift, will function as an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV). Powered by an RFA-developed Fenix engine, with propellants of Nitromethane fuel and Nitrous oxide oxidizer[6] the engine can be restarted multiple times on orbit. This allows the vehcile to achieve different orbits within a single flight and complete various missions for particular customers.[4]
References
- ^ Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (2021-02-12). "German Microlauncher start-up Rocket Factory announces unrivalled low price of EUR 3 million per rocket launch" (Press release). Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ a b c Adrian Beil (2021-08-30). "German startup Rocket Factory Augsburg successfully performs critical tests ahead of 2022 debut". NASASpaceFlight.com. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ a b Rainbow, Jason (23 August 2024). "RFA pushes maiden flight to 2025 after launchpad explosion". SpaceNews. Retrieved 23 August 2024.
- ^ a b c d e f g h Beil, Adrian (2021-08-30). "German startup Rocket Factory Augsburg successfully performs critical tests ahead of 2022 debut". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 2021-11-16.
- ^ a b Parsonson, Andrew (2022-08-30). "European Rocket Propulsion Index - European Spaceflight". Retrieved 2024-03-21.
- ^ a b "LinkedIn Update". LinkedIn. Retrieved 2024-05-29.
- ^ "LAUNCHER". Rocket Factory Augsburg. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
- ^ a b "Rocket Factory Augsburg Chose Helix Rocket Engine in a Public Contest". Orbital Today. 2022-05-05. Retrieved 2022-05-17.
- ^ Krempl, Stefan (26 April 2022). "Kleinraketen: Bund beflügelt Rocket Factory Augsburg mit 11 Millionen Euro". heise online (in German). Retrieved 2022-05-17.
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