RFA gets research contract from ESA

Published on Tue, 16.03.2021 – 13:02 CET in R&D, covering ESA

As part of the New European Space Transportation Solutions (NESTS) initiative, ESA has awarded three research contracts worth €500,000 each. In addition to ArianeGroup and Avio (an Italian space company based in Colleferro near Rome), a contract was also signed with the German start-up Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA).

The aim of the research assignments is to identify and recommend future space transportation solutions that can then be used in the period 2030 to 2050. The timeframe for this is tight, as the studies are to be available in the spring of 2021 and worked up into proposals, which are then to be presented for decision at the next Council meeting in 2022.

"ESA is laying the groundwork through its New European Space Transportation Solutions initiative to prepare for the future beyond Ariane 6 and Vega-C. These system concept studies will include services that prioritize the future needs of European space programs, but also allow them to meet global market needs."

Daniel Neuenschwander, Director of Space Transportation

RFA was founded in 2018 and is currently developing RFA One, a two-stage launch vehicle with a payload of around 1,100 kg into sun-synchronous orbit. RFA's strategic investor is the Bremen-based company OHB SE, while Apollo Capital Partners GmbH is involved as a financial investor. The first flight of RFA One is scheduled for 2022 (NET).


via: ESA, OHB, RFA

Header Image Credit: Free Footage
Written by M. Weissflog
R&D
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