A fire has destroyed the first stage of the RFA One rocket, launched by Rocket Factory Augsburg, during a test firing at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. This event marks a significant setback for the German startup and for the European rocket industry, which has seen increasing competition in the launch of small satellites in recent years.
Rocket Factory Augsburg and the context of space launches
Rocket Factory Augsburg is an emerging company based in Augsburg, Germany, specializing in the decomposition of commercial space launches. The company, actively involved in the development of its technologies, has ambitious plans to send its first rocket, the RFA One, into orbit by the end of this year. RFA has embarked on a path of innovation that has positioned it ahead of its competitors in the European sector, without forgetting the risks associated with the testing phases.
In recent months, RFA has completed delivery of all three stages of the RFA One rocket to SaxaVord Spaceport, located on Unst, the UK’s most northerly inhabited island. There, the company successfully completed acceptance and qualification tests for the second and third stages. However, the first stage had been left awaiting a major test campaign that sadly ended in tragedy.
Test failure at SaxaVord Spaceport
During a test burn on Monday evening, the first stage of the RFA One rocket was destroyed due to an anomaly that caused an unexpected explosion. In a press release, RFA confirmed that fortunately there were no injuries and that the launch pad had been safeguarded and made safe.
Monday’s “hot fire” test was the first with all nine first-stage engines firing. Videos showed flames erupting around the base of the rocket during the burn, but it was unclear whether all the engines actually fired. After a brief period of activation, the situation got out of hand, and the rocket fell off the pad, exploding upon contact with the ground.
RFA said it was working with SaxaVord Spaceport and the relevant authorities to gather data and information to determine the cause of the anomaly. The company stressed the need to take time to analyze the details of the incident.
Impact on the RFA One launch schedule
The test failure is a major blow to RFA and could further delay the launch of the RFA One rocket. The destruction of the first stage eliminates any possibility of launching the rocket by the end of the year, and the length of the delays will depend on the nature of the analysis of the incident.
Fairly well-known in the industry, the company has adopted an iterative development approach with a strong focus on real-world testing. RFA said it is aware of the high risks associated with this method and expressed its desire to resume regular operations as soon as possible.
Frank Strang, CEO of SaxaVord Spaceport, commented on the situation by saying that it is premature to understand the cause of the anomaly, but he is confident that RFA can resolve the issue once more information becomes available. He also stressed the importance of carrying out controlled tests to identify any malfunctions early on.
The future of RFA and the European launch market
Rocket Factory Augsburg is a major player in the commercial space launch landscape in Europe, which is characterised by a growing demand for launch capacity for small satellites. The RFA One rocket, with its Helix engines fuelled by kerosene and liquid oxygen, is designed to have a stainless steel structure and a height of 30 metres when fully assembled.
With the ability to carry payloads of up to 1.3 tonnes into polar orbits, RFA One stands out among European startups in the space sector. However, the incident at SaxaVord Spaceport highlights the inherent risks of the space sector. The startup is preparing to resume operational tests as soon as possible, with the ambition of becoming a leader in the space launch market in Europe.
This article is originally published on socialmedialife.it
