German launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg has signed a binding term sheet with French space agency CNES to access a new commercial launch facility being built on the grounds of the old Diamant launch complex at the Guiana Space Center in French Guiana. The company will utilize the facility to launch its RFA ONE vehicle beginning in 2025.
CNES announced that it would open Kourou up to micro and mini launch providers in early 2021. In July 2022, CNES pre-selected Avio, HyImpulse, Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, PLD Space, Rocket Factory Augsburg, and Latitude. The agency explained that it would enter into discussions with each company to determine each project’s technical and financial feasibility before officially granting access.
With today’s announcement, RFA becomes the second of the seven companies to announce the signing of binding terms that will allow the company to make use of the new facility.
“By securing a launch site at the Diamant launch complex, this agreement allows RFA to offer GTO, MEO, GEO, and even lunar and interplanetary flight profiles to its customers,” said Jörn Spurmann, Chief Commercial Officer at RFA. By launching from Kourou, the European Spaceport, we can serve ESA and its member states as institutional customers for any mission profile they desire.”
The French Guiana launch site is the second secured by RFA to date. The company will begin its operations at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland with the maiden flight of its RFA One vehicle currently expected to be launched from the facility in late 2023.
Isar Aerospace was the first of the seven companies to sign a binding term sheet which it did so in July 2022. ArianeGroup has also signed on to utilize the facility to conduct high-altitude tests of its Themis demonstrator following initial testing at Esrange Space Center in Sweden.
Correction: A previous version of the article stated that RFA was the first of the seven companies to sign a binding term sheet.
