In a historic milestone for Europe’s space industry, German launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has become the first company to secure a license for vertically launching an orbital rocket from mainland Europe. The license, issued by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), marks a critical step toward RFA’s first launch of its RFA ONE rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, off the coast of Scotland.
Credit: Rocket Factory Augsburg
“This is a groundbreaking moment for RFA and for Europe’s space industry,” said Jörn Spurmann, co-founder and Chief Commercial Officer of RFA, in a statement. “Securing the first-ever launch license outside ESA's established site in Kourou is not just a regulatory milestone — it's a powerful endorsement of our technical excellence and a turning point for European space innovation.”
The license represents a significant development for Europe, signaling the rise of commercial space capabilities outside traditional European Space Agency (ESA) facilities, such as the Kourou spaceport in French Guiana. It also underlines the growing role of the UK in the global space race, following the establishment of SaxaVord Spaceport as a key player in orbital launches.
Matt Archer, UK Space Agency Director of Launch, ISAM, and Space Sustainability, hailed the approval as a landmark moment:
“This license approval is a landmark moment, as it signals the start of vertical rocket launches from European soil. The achievement, driven by effective collaboration between RFA, SaxaVord Spaceport, the regulator, and government partners, highlights the growing strength of the UK’s launch capabilities and our international relationships.”
License Details and Future Prospects
Under the terms of the license, RFA is permitted to conduct up to 10 launches per calendar year, with a maximum of two launches within any given month. The licensing process emphasized public safety and environmental impact, requiring thorough testing and safety assessments. Any plans to increase the launch cadence will necessitate further regulatory approval.
RFA’s immediate focus is on final technical preparations for its first test flight. The company had previously performed a static-fire test of the RFA ONE rocket’s first stage at SaxaVord in August 2024, which ended in a dramatic explosion. Despite the setback, RFA has resumed its efforts and now appears on track for a potential launch in 2025.
The RFA ONE rocket features nine Helix staged-combustion engines powering its first stage. The second stage, third stage (known as the Redshift orbital transfer vehicle), and the rocket’s fairing have already been flight-qualified. The next step involves a full hot-fire test of the first stage at SaxaVord Spaceport.
While RFA has not announced a specific timeline for its inaugural launch, it must notify the CAA at least 60 days in advance of any planned mission.
Rocket Factory Augsburg is part of a growing ecosystem of European launch startups racing to achieve orbital flight. Other players include Germany’s Isar Aerospace and HyImpulse, Spain’s PLD Space, and the UK’s Orbex and Skyrora. The UK’s CAA revealed that it is currently reviewing applications from seven additional launch companies, underscoring the region’s burgeoning commercial space sector.
In addition to SaxaVord Spaceport, other European facilities, such as Norway’s Andøya Spaceport and Sweden’s Esrange Arctic Spaceport, are positioning themselves as key hubs for vertical orbital launches. These efforts highlight the rapid expansion of Europe’s launch infrastructure and its ambition to compete on the global stage.
Europe’s space industry has historically relied on ESA’s Kourou spaceport for orbital launches. The licensing of RFA’s vertical launch from the UK represents a decentralization of capabilities and a bold step toward greater commercialization and competition in the sector.
While SaxaVord prepares for vertical launches, other UK spaceports, such as Spaceport Cornwall, have already hosted horizontal launches. In January 2023, Virgin Orbit attempted to deploy satellites using its LauncherOne rocket from Spaceport Cornwall via the Cosmic Girl carrier plane, though the mission ended in failure.
The successful licensing of Rocket Factory Augsburg marks a turning point for European space innovation. It reflects not only the growing strength of the UK’s space industry but also the broader drive for Europe to establish independent, competitive, and sustainable access to space.
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