RFA One / launch vehicle
sourcingtypical 4/5 · 12 factssmall-lift multistage launch vehicleDEUin development
RFA One is a three-stage rocket designed to launch small satellites and payloads of initially up to 1,350 kg into polar orbits.
key details
faq
Who builds RFA One?
RFA One is built by Rocket Factory Augsburg. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
How many times has RFA One flown?
RFA One has flown 0 times. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
Is RFA One reusable?
RFA One is not reusable. (source, as of 2026-07-05)
facts
providerRocket Factory Augsburg
countryDEU
classsmall-lift multistage launch vehicle
payload to LEO (kg)1600
reusableno
first flightunknown
flights total0
flights successful0
last flightunknown
next flightunknown
statusIn development
price per launch (USD)3000000
payload to GTO (kg)450
height (m)30
diameter (m)2
events
- major2026-08-27ESA signs first European Launcher Challenge contracts worth €543.6 million
- notable2026-08-06RFA pulls RFA One rocket from SaxaVord pad, cancels UK's first launch window
- notable2026-07-07RFA delays RFA ONE's maiden launch after vehicle issue found in testing
- major2026-06-22OHB raises 510 million euros for manufacturing
timeline
- 20252025-07-07RFA One preselected as ESA European Launcher Challenge candidate (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 2025-01-16RFA receives UK's first vertical launch licence for RFA One (source, as of 2026-07-12)
- 20242024-08-19RFA One first stage destroyed in static fire test explosion (per SpaceNews) (source, as of 2026-07-12)
sources
[1] ll.thespacedevs.com ↗
provider2026-07-05country2026-07-05payload to LEO (kg)2026-07-05reusable2026-07-05flights total2026-07-05flights successful2026-07-05price per launch (USD)2026-07-05payload to GTO (kg)2026-07-08height (m)2026-07-08diameter (m)2026-07-08