Last week, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) announced that it had successfully completed the Integrated System Test (IST) campaign for the RFA ONE second stage. The IST campaign included several hot fire tests and culminated in a full-duration 280-second test of the first RFA ONE second stage.
“This is the first successful qualification test of our upper stage, and we are super proud of our team for designing, building, and testing in such a time and money-efficient fashion,” said RFA COO Dr. Stefan Brieschenk. “The data we have collected will allow us to tune all stage sub-systems, for both the upper and first stage. Our next big step is the first stage hot firing test.”
Following a request from European Spaceflight, an RFA spokesperson explained that the first stage is currently being assembled and prepared for an initial test campaign.
A June 7 tweet from SaxaVord outlined the progress that has been made to the launch site that will host the stage one tests and the maiden RFA ONE flight. In January 2023, RFA announced that it had secured exclusive use of Launchpad Fredo for orbital launches. The announcement included an update that stated that the launch pad and launch stool had been fully completed at the end of 2022. In the June 7 update, SaxaVord revealed that foundations for the integration facility and rocket hall had been completed, and that steel for its construction was in the process of being moved into place. RFA expects to have the first integrated RFA ONE vehicle on the launchpad by the end of the year, explained the company’s spokesperson.
RFA is also working towards building out a testing facility a little closer to home. In November 2022, RFA signed an agreement with the German space agency DLR to test Helix engines at the agency’s historic Lampoldshausen testing facility. The agreement included the lease and use of the facility’s P2.4 test site. RFA is currently in advanced technological discussions for the construction of its test stand at the site. The company expects to be able to begin testing at Lampoldshausen at the beginning of next year.
