There has been much local focus on the SaxaVord Spaceport, not helped by the failure of Orbex, a major potential client. However, SaxaVord now has the RFA ONE rocket on its launch pad. Launch preparations are underway and a test firing of the rocket’s engines scheduled.

Rocket factory Augsburg (RFA) says: “We have delivered the first and second stages of our RFA ONE launch vehicle to SaxaVord Space in Scotland. This marks an important step as we move toward our first orbital launch, currently planned for summer 2026.”

“Over the past 18 months, our teams have advanced the development of both stages, with improvements to the Helix engine, tank pressurisation systems, and operating procedures. The causes of the incident during a hot fire test in August 2024 have been fully understood and resolved. The newly built first stage was tested in Augsburg and has arrived in early February at the launch site, where it will be integrated with its nine Helix engines, currently undergoing final acceptance testing at SSCspace, Sweden.”

“Our second stage, following a successful hot fire test campaign at Esrange Space Center, has now also safely arrived at SaxaVord and is undergoing final checks,” added RFA.

“There is still work ahead, but reaching this point is a significant achievement for the entire team. With both stages now at the spaceport, the next phase begins: vehicle integration and stage testing ahead of the first launch campaign this summer,” RFA stated.

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Categories: Articles, Satellite

Tags: SaxaVord, Space