16 January 2025
A German company has received its spaceflight operator licence from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) will launch its first test flight from SaxaVord Spaceport on the isle of Unst, the northernmost island in the Shetlands, later this year. The approved launch will see a 30 metre tall RFA ONE rocket launch northwards.
RFA’s operator licence is a combination with SaxaVord which now has its spaceport licence and range control licence. The licence comes with a number of conditions that will need to be met before launch including making sure international agreements with other countries are in place and that they have valid insurance.
Rob Bishton, CEO of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said, “This is a new era for aerospace and granting the first vertical launch licence from UK soil builds towards a historic milestone for the nation.”
Jörn Spurmann, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of RFA added, “This is a groundbreaking moment for RFA and for Europe’s space industry. Securing the first-ever launch license outside ESA’s established site in Kourou is not just a regulatory milestone – it’s a powerful endorsement of our technical excellence and a turning point for European space innovation.”
RFA says it has already completed major development milestones, including the successful flight qualification of the RFA ONE’s second stage, its advanced Redshift orbital transfer vehicle (OTV), and its payload fairing system.
The remaining efforts are centred on building the rocket’s first stage with nine Helix staged-combustion engines, and conducting a full hot fire test on the launch pad at SaxaVord Spaceport, Scotland.
SaxaVord Spaceport on the isle of Unst in the Shetlands. Photo: SaxaVord
RFA explains why it chose a remote spot on the Lamba Ness peninsula on Unst:
“Believe it or not, we didn’t just close our eyes and point to a map.
“Choosing SaxaVord Spaceport as the base for our flight operations was a decision made after careful consideration of various factors.
“Firstly, SaxaVord and RFA are both private companies who share the same approach of cost-efficiency, a fast pace and ‘go-get-it’ mentality. Secondly, Shetland has a rich oil and fishing industry with existing infrastructure (e.g. industrial harbors, tool stores, suppliers).
“Finally, it is perfectly located for launches into polar low earth orbits.”
