Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) receives the final regulatory approval from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) to launch their RFA One rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. This historic launch, planned for 2025, will mark the first vertical launch of a satellite from European soil, positioning Europe as a key player in the global space race.
A German company aiming to become the first to launch a satellite from the northernmost point in the UK has received official spaceflight authorization from the regulator. This decision by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the final crucial regulatory approval needed for Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) to conduct a launch from SaxaVord Spaceport on Unst, the northernmost of the Shetland Islands.
The privately owned spaceport has already been granted both a spaceport licence and a range control licence by the CAA. RFA's inaugural test flight, slated for 2025, would mark the first vertical launch of a satellite from European soil. They are the first company to be granted a license for this type of launch. Known as RFA One, their launcher is a 30-meter-tall, three-stage rocket capable of delivering a 1,300kg payload to a sun-synchronous orbit around Earth. During a static fire test last year, the first stage of the initial rocket caught fire and exploded, forcing the postponement of the initial launch plan for 2024. Jorn Spurmann, chief commercial officer of RFA, stated that securing the launch licence is a 'groundbreaking moment for RFA and for Europe's space industry'. He further emphasized: 'Securing the first-ever launch licence outside ESA's established site in Kourou (in French Guyana) is not just a regulatory milestone - it's a powerful endorsement of our technical excellence and a turning point for European space innovation. 'This licence marks Europe's bold step toward independent, competitive, and sustainable space access. 'By enabling cost-effective and flexible launches from European mainland, we are laying the foundation for a new era of space exploration and commercialisation, ensuring Europe remains at the forefront of the global space race.' Rob Bishton, chief executive of the CAA, said: 'This is a new era for aerospace and granting the first vertical launch licence from UK soil builds towards a historic milestone for the nation. 'This licence is the culmination of extensive hard work behind the scenes to put appropriate safety and environmental measures in place before launch. 'Through effective licensing and regulation we are enabling the expanding space sector to reach new heights.
SPACE EXPLORATION SPACE LAUNCH EUROPEAN SPACE INDUSTRY VERTICAL LAUNCH SAXAVORD SPACEPORT
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