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British authorities have given permission for the RFA One rocket to launch. The license allows orbital flights from Saxavod Spaceport in the Shetland Islands.
Illustration of RFA One taking off. (Image credit: RFA).
NEW DELHI: The UK Civil Aviation Authority has cleared the country’s first vertical rocket launch into Earth orbit after reviewing safety protocols, environmental mitigation measures, valid insurance coverage and the ability to meet international obligations. The license was granted to Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German-based space startup that plans to build rockets using a process similar to cars. RFA plans to launch its One vehicle for small satellites from Saxavod Spaceport in the Shetland Islands. The One is a 30-meter-tall rocket capable of carrying a 1,300 kg payload to a 500 km sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) and an 850 kg payload to a 2,000 km polar orbit.
Jörn Spurmann, co-founder and chief commercial officer of RFA, said: “This is RFA and a landmark moment for the European space industry. Securing the first launch license outside of ESA’s base in Kourou is more than just a regulatory milestone, it is a strong confirmation of our technological excellence. A shift in European space innovation Rob Bishton, Chief Executive of the UK Civil Aviation Authority, said: ‘This is a new era for aerospace, with the first ever UK soil construction to mark a historic milestone for the nation. “We will be granting a vertical launch license.” This license is the culmination of extensive behind-the-scenes efforts to ensure appropriate safety and environmental measures are in place before launch. ”
On-demand access to space
RFA One is designed to provide affordable, on-demand access to space with quick turnaround times. The three-stage orbital rocket is two meters wide and is designed to allow the first stage to be recovered in the future. The engine is made from low-cost stainless steel, and the components that make up the rest of the launch vehicle are sourced from the automotive, oil, and energy industries. The upper stage is an orbital vehicle called Redshift. Saxavod Spaceport is the UK’s first spaceport to be licensed for vertical launch.
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