German rocket company Rocket Factory’s FRA One rocket’s first stage goes up in flames during a test in the UK.
German rocket startup Rocket Factory’s second test fire of its first stage rocket ended in flames yesterday in a spaceport in the UK, the firm confirmed in a statement made late afternoon yesterday. Rocket Factory is Germany’s most advanced rocket company and it has been developing its RFA One rocket for the past couple of years as part of plans to eventually launch it out of the SaxaVord spaceport in Scotland.
The firm had been moving fast in 2024 and had planned to launch a test flight of the same rocket that exploded yesterday later this year. However, its plans after the accident are unclear, as Rocket Factory has asked for time to evaluate its operations.RocketFactory Joints Veteran Space Firms In Experiencing Explosions During Early Development Stages
Yesterday’s test was of Rocket Factory’s RFA One rocket’s first stage. The RFA One is a small lift rocket designed to generate roughly 300 kilonewtons of thrust and place 1.6 tons in low Earth orbit (LEO). As opposed to most other small lift rockets, it is a three stage vehicle, with nine engines on the first stage that are designed in house by Rocket Factory.
