Elon Musk inevitably grabs much of the limelight with his SpaceX test flights, but he’s not the only rocketman with his eye on Earth orbit.
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) plans to launch vehicles from the SaxaVord Spaceport located on the Shetland Islands, in the North Sea off Scotland.
This month the company become the first in Europe to secure a license for vertical launches of a privately develop orbital rocket. It’s also the first such license the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has issued. The move potentially opens the way to the first commercial mission launched from UK soil.
Rob Bishton, chief executive of the CAA, 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.
“This licence is the culmination of extensive hard work behind the scenes to put appropriate safety and environmental measures in place before launch. Through effective licensing and regulation we are enabling the expanding space sector to reach new heights.”
RFA, headquartered in Augsberg, Germany, was founded in 2018, and seeks to offer launch services for payloads of up to 1.3 tonnes into low Earth orbit. The aim is is to achieve a schedule of weekly launches, at “highly competitive prices”.
With this regulatory green light in place, the company says it is now shifting its focus to the final technical preparations for the first test flight.
The approved launch will see a 30-metre tall RFA ONE rocket launch northwards from the coast of the Shetland Islands.
Jörn Spurmann, RFA’s co-founder and chief commercial officer, said: “This is a groundbreaking moment for RFA and for Europe’s space industry.
“Securing the first-ever launch licence outside ESA’s [European Space Agency’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.
“This licence marks Europe’s bold step toward independent, competitive, and sustainable space access. By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from European main land, we are laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialization, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the global space race.
“Together with the CAA and our partners, we are driving the future of accessible and reliable spaceflight, unlocking opportunities that will shape industries and inspire generations.”
Development milestones
The company 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.
However, the licence does come 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 the company has valid insurance.
The CAA says it will continue to monitor the company to ensure public safety is maintained in the build-up to, and during launch.
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency director of launch, ISAM, and space sustainability, said: “This licence approval is a landmark moment, as it signals the start of vertical rocket launches from European soil.
“The achievement, driven by effective collaboration between RFA, SaxaVord Spaceport, the regulator and government partners, highlights the growing strength of the UK’s launch capabilities and our international relationships. What’s more, ambitious companies like RFA are creating high-skilled jobs, catalysing investment, and inspiring the next generation to see their future in space.”
Aviation minister Mike Kane added: “This is a landmark moment for RFA, SaxaVord and the UK space sector and moves the dial one step closer towards the first commercial vertical space launch in the United Kingdom.
“The UK is the perfect location to carry out launch operations in a business-friendly environment, with safety at the heart of our Spaceflight Strategy. And as set out in our Plan for Change, we are unlocking jobs and economic growth across the country in untapped industries, making the impossible a reality for future generations.”
SaxaVord Spaceport became the UK’s first licenced vertical launch spaceport last December, and received its range control licence in April 2024. Since then the CAA has been involved in an extensive programme of monitoring the site.
Main image: An illustration of the RFA ONE launch. Credit: Rocket Factory Augsberg
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