Rocket Factory Augsburg

What Rocket Factory Augsburg does

Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA), founded in 2018 and headquartered in Augsburg, Germany, is a privately held space launch company developing the RFA ONE three-stage micro-launcher, capable of delivering up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit. The company is 65%-owned by OHB SE, a publicly listed German space company on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with KKR as a direct €30M investor and additional backing via the UK Space Agency, DLR, and ESA. Its core technology is the Helix oxidizer-rich staged-combustion engine — the first successfully tested in the European Union — which delivers 6-8% higher fuel efficiency and 30% greater payload capacity than conventional open-cycle engines; this is paired with stainless-steel tank structures and a Redshift orbital transfer vehicle providing last-mile payload positioning from LEO to GTO and beyond.

RFA monetises through one-time launch service fees (publicly disclosed at approximately €3 million per flight) and professional services for microgravity research, with a sales-led go-to-market targeting satellite operators, constellation builders, scientific institutions, and European government agencies. Operational footprint spans Germany (HQ and integration), Sweden (Esrange hot-fire test site), the United Kingdom (RFA UK, supporting SaxaVord Spaceport operations with exclusive access to the 'Fredo' pad), and Portugal (composite structure manufacturing under Project Magellan). Adjacent product lines include the Argo reusable cargo capsule (~€150M price point) and the Eva end-to-end microgravity service operated with ATMOS Space Cargo and Yuri.

The company is pre-commercial: it received its UK launch licence in January 2025, delivered RFA ONE stages to SaxaVord in March 2026, and is awaiting its first orbital flight after an August 2024 on-pad turbopump oxygen fire. It was selected for ESA's European Launcher Challenge with up to €169M in funding, subject to achieving orbit by 2027, and operates with leadership including former ESA Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain as Supervisory Board Chair and Indulis Kalnins as CEO since April 2025.

Name

Rocket Factory Augsburg

Legal name

Rocket Factory Augsburg AG

Website

https://rfa.space

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Rocket Factory Augsburg is a German space launch company building the RFA ONE micro-launcher powered by its EU-first Helix staged-combustion engine, serving satellite operators, research institutions, and European government agencies with low-cost orbital launch services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Commercial Space Launch Services

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3364)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Engines & Turbines (3510)

akta.pro primary industry

Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Spacecraft Propulsion (In-Space) & Thrusters (IMABACAE), Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

Keywords

• Orbital launch services
• Micro launch vehicles
• Satellite deployment services
• Staged combustion propulsion
• Space launch infrastructure

Headquarters

HQ city

Augsburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Launch Services: One-time launch fees for delivering payloads to orbit. The company offers flexible, low-cost launch services with the RFA ONE rocket, providing precise in-orbit delivery and mission flexibility through its Redshift OTV. Pricing is competitive at approximately EUR 3 million per rocket launch.
2. Microgravity Research Services: End-to-end microgravity service partnership with ATMOS Space Cargo and Yuri for biotech research and product development in space. The service includes launch, in-orbit operations, and return capabilities, targeted at life sciences industry customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Rocket Factory Augsburg designs, manufactures, and operates the RFA ONE three-stage micro-launcher vehicle to provide low-cost, flexible orbital launch services for small-satellite operators and institutions, with payload capacity up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit. The company sells individual launch slots at approximately €3 million per flight and supplements the core launcher with the Redshift orbital transfer vehicle for precise last-mile payload positioning across mission profiles ranging from LEO to GTO.

Product overview

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) offers a comprehensive space launch ecosystem comprising the RFA ONE three-stage micro-launcher vehicle as the core product, the Helix staged-combustion engine technology providing propulsion, the Redshift OTV for flexible orbital payload delivery, the Argo cargo capsule for cost-effective space logistics, and the Eva microgravity service for biotech research. The company focuses on democratizing access to space through cost-efficient serial production of rockets using industrial components and automotive manufacturing principles.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RFA ONE: Three-stage micro-launch vehicle capable of deploying up to 1,300 kg to 500 km polar orbit, using Helix staged-combustion engines
• Redshift
• Helix
• Argo

Products and services

• RFA ONE Micro-Launcher A three-stage micro-launcher standing 30 metres tall and 2 metres wide, using Helix staged-combustion engines, stainless-steel tank structures, and composite fairings. Capable of deploying up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit, designed for flexible and low-cost launch services with a weekly-cadence production target. Customers include commercial satellite operators, constellation builders, and government agencies.
• Redshift Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV) A flexible orbital transfer vehicle serving as the third stage of RFA ONE that provides a last-mile in-orbit delivery service for precise payload positioning across any mission profile, from LEO to GTO and beyond. Available to commercial and scientific customers needing precise orbit insertion that the core launcher alone cannot deliver.
• Argo Reusable Space Cargo Capsule A cost-effective, reusable space cargo capsule offering an end-to-end return service priced at approximately €150 million per capsule. Developed and led by RFA in consortium with Space Cargo Unlimited and ATMOS Space Cargo to serve customers needing low-Earth-orbit cargo return.
• Eva End-to-End Microgravity Service An end-to-end microgravity service for biotech research and product development combining RFA launch with ATMOS Space Cargo's Phoenix return capsule (low-Earth-orbit re-entry to the Azores) and Yuri's ScienceTaxi modular bioreactor and incubator solutions. Targeted at life-sciences, pharmaceutical, and biotech customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 6-8% fuel efficiency improvement through staged-combustion technology
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SaxaVord SpaceportcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRFA has exclusive access to SaxaVord's 'Fredo' launch pad on Unst island, Scotland. RFA UK anticipates around 90 skilled jobs created locally at full operational capability.
• ATMOS Space CargocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to provide the 'Eva' end-to-end microgravity service. ATMOS is responsible for re-entry logistics and operating the Phoenix return capsule from low Earth orbit to the Azores.
• YuricoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for 'Eva' microgravity service. Yuri provides the ScienceTaxi modular bioreactor and incubator solutions for biotech research and manufacturing in space.
• Spaceflight Inc.minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to fly Sherpa OTVs (Orbital Transfer Vehicles) on future RFA launches from Europe, providing additional orbital deployment flexibility.
• European Space Agency (ESA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRFA awarded two launch contracts under ESA Flight Ticket Initiative for three satellites. ESA provides funding through Boost! programme and European Launcher Challenge, with over €900 million in dedicated funding.
• ESA (THRUST! Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSelected by ESA to develop reusable rocket technology under THRUST! initiative, working on high-thrust liquid propulsion systems for reusability.
• CEiiA (Centro de Engenharia de Desenvolvimento)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership under Project Magellan for development of RFA ONE micro-launcher structures in Portugal. EU-funded project with €9 million total eligible cost, €6.3 million EU support.
• DLR (German Aerospace Center)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerDLR selected seven customers for RFA's inaugural flight including scientific payloads. Partnership established through DLR microlauncher competition where RFA won €11 million.
• Andøya Space (Norway)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarlier partnership secured for launch site at Andøya in Norway, though current launch plans have shifted to SaxaVord in Scotland.
• Isar Aerospace, MaiaSpace, PLD Space, Orbital Express LaunchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFellow European launch startups selected alongside RFA for ESA's European Launcher Challenge, sharing knowledge and receiving collective support from ESA.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Rocket Lab: Operates the Electron small launcher and is developing the larger Neutron vehicle targeting similar small-to-medium payload customers. Closely comparable business model (dedicated and rideshare small launch) and target customer set (constellation operators, government agencies).
• Isar Aerospace: German small-launch startup developing the Spectrum rocket, also selected for ESA's European Launcher Challenge. Direct European competitor with overlapping micro-launcher positioning, institutional customer base, and technology approach.
• PLD Space: Spanish launch startup developing the Miura 5 micro-launcher, also selected for the ESA European Launcher Challenge. Directly comparable European competitor targeting small satellite deployment with a reusable architecture roadmap.
• MaiaSpace: French small-launch startup (ArianeGroup spin-out) developing a reusable micro-launcher and selected alongside RFA in the European Launcher Challenge. Directly comparable in target market, technology ambition, and ESA-backed funding profile.

Emerging players

• Relativity Space: US-based launch startup using 3D-printed rockets (Terran 1/Terran R) targeting small-to-medium payloads. Comparable as a serial-production-focused, cost-disruptive micro-launch entrant using additive manufacturing.
• Firefly Aerospace: US small/mid-launch company operating Alpha and developing the larger MLV. Comparable target customer (constellation and government payloads) and competitive overlap in the small-sat launch segment.
• Orbital Express Launch: UK-based micro-launch startup developing the Prime rocket for launches from Sutherland Spaceport. Direct European peer with overlapping UK launch heritage and small-satellite customer focus.

Broad incumbents

• Arianespace: European incumbent launch services provider operating Ariane 6 and Vega-C. Overlaps with RFA in serving ESA and European institutional customers, but focuses on heavier payloads and a broader portfolio.
• Blue Origin: US launcher with New Glenn and New Shepard. Comparable in offering orbital launch services with reusable architecture ambition, though targeting a different (medium-to-heavy) payload class.
• SpaceX: Global launch incumbent whose Falcon 9 rideshare programme and Starlink deployment pressure pricing and cadence across the small-launch segment RFA targets. The dominant reference competitor for cost-per-kg economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/rfa_space
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UC6PsS67tBgDr5w22ZZSgI9w
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/rfa-space
• Instagraminstagram.com/rfa.space?igshid=1bnrglgq5tan8

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Subsidiaries2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds3 records

Investors2 records

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Rocket Factory Augsburg