Shetland rocket launch plans get £3.5m boost

Rockets capable of carrying satellites into polar orbit could be taking off from Shetland as soon as next spring, after the launcher company received a funding boost from the UK and European space agencies.

Rocket Factory (RFA UK) received £3.5m from the UK Space Agency as part of the European Space Agency (ESA) Boost! programme, the government announced today (8 November). The programme aims to help innovative companies develop new launch technologies and bring them to market.

The Scottish firm – a subsidiary of Rocket Factory Augsburg, which is developing its RFA One rocket in Germany and Portugal – will use the funding to develop and operate the infrastructure and test equipment needed to enable launches from SaxaVord Spaceport, which are planned from the second quarter of 2024. 

Measuring 30m tall and 2m wide, the RFA ONE is a three-stage launch vehicle capable of deploying up to 1,300kg to a 500km polar orbit. The rocket is designed to use efficient staged-combustion engines, with stainless steel tanks and standardised components from other industries to offer flexible, low-cost and precise transportation into orbit.

Jörn Spurmann, managing director of RFA UK and chief commercial officer of RFA AG, said: “The support received from the UK Space Agency underscores their strong confidence in our approach. We are eagerly anticipating our inaugural orbital launch… from the SaxaVord Spaceport on British territory. This event will further cement our position as the pioneers in European commercial spaceflight.”

The UK Space Agency has also supported launch activities with £23.4m in two separate grants to Lockheed Martin, which will use the money to establish launch operations from SaxaVord Spaceport and build a small launch vehicle for a ‘pathfinder launch’ from the site. 

RFA UK and SaxaVord Spaceport anticipate about 90 skilled jobs will be created locally when the spaceport reaches full operational capability.