UK Grants RFA First Vertical Launch Licence for SaxaVord Spaceport

Jan 16, 2025, 12:32 PM

The UK's Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has granted Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German startup, the first vertical launch licence for a rocket heading to space from UK soil. This approval allows RFA to conduct launches of its RFA ONE rocket from SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, marking a significant milestone for both the company and Europe's space industry. The licence covers up to ten launches per year, with the first test flight anticipated in 2025. RFA's rocket, designed to deliver up to 1,300 kilograms into a sun-synchronous orbit, aims to provide cost-effective and flexible launches from European mainland, fostering a new era of space exploration and commercialization. This development positions the UK and Europe at the forefront of the global space race, with SaxaVord Spaceport already possessing all necessary licences to operate and potentially host up to 30 launches per year in the future.