Author Topic: Rocket Factory Augsburg  (Read 88985 times)

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #100 on: 09/22/2023 08:17 am »
Picture from the tweet.
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline tankat0208

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #101 on: 09/25/2023 02:26 pm »
Oddly short cone on top, including the cap. I guess they expect to have a payload fairing over the cone and pressurized volume (white part), but the service module/trunk part looks more like an externally exposed shell?

Getting a HIAD-like capsule vibe for some reason.
The 'cone' over the docking adapter is likely a contamination cover to prevent FOD on the mating and sealing surfaces, with protection from ascent aerodynamic loads being a completely separate structure; e.g. a discardable nose cover, or launching inside a fairing.

It is an HIAD-inflatable return capsule. I've pasted their twitter and linkedIn post on the vehicle, and some additional images.
https://x.com/rfa_space/status/1704888661811110020?s=20

One (c)argo capsule, tons of possibilities!
 
Argo can carry 3,400kg in LEO, has nearly 13 cubic meters of pressurized cargo space, and best of all, it has an integrated inflatable re-entry module. So it doesn't just restore European cargo capability. It also enables the valuable return of material and experiments to Earth.
 
A game-changer for European spaceflight!


https://www.linkedin.com/posts/rfa-space_team-assemble-we-collaborated-with-two-activity-7112045305730080768-ieU8?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop

Team, assemble! We collaborated with two experienced and innovative partners, ATMOS Space Cargo and Sener, to present Argo to the European Space Agency - ESA .

With systems like
🔥 Fenix engine
🚀 Stainless steel structures
🗺 Autonomous Guidance and Control for Rendezvous
🤝 Advanced Docking Mechanism
🎈 Inflatable atmospheric decelerator (re-entry module)
we will be able to offer a unique, capable and cost-efficient European transportation service!

The consortium also includes OHB SE as a service provider and MT Aerospace AG as an industrialization partner.



Offline TrevorMonty

Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #102 on: 09/25/2023 03:00 pm »
One of the original proposed uses for HIAD was to allow return of Cygnus. Looks like someone is finally going to make it happen with similar spacecraft.

https://commons.m.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:NASA_HEART_concept.jpg

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #103 on: 10/18/2023 05:47 pm »
https://twitter.com/rfa_space/status/1714672794867224794

Quote
The sky's not the limit anymore; it's just the beginning!

Today, at the @Der_BDI #Weltraumkongress in Berlin, we unveiled a groundbreaking partnership with @yurigravity  and @AtmosSpaceCargo  that will redefine micro gravity research, product development and in-space manufacturing as we know it!

Read our full press release ➡️

https://www.rfa.space/rfa-atmos-yuri-launch-biotech-microgravity-service/

Quote
Three German NewSpace companies launch “Eva”, the world’s first end-to-end microgravity service for biotech research and product development
October 18, 2023

Rocket Factory Augsburg (short: RFA) offers flexible and low-cost launch services thus providing affordable access to space

ATMOS Space Cargo develops reusable, modular, and highly scalable return space capsules for any scientific payload, experiment, or equipment

Yuri develops modular bioreactors and incubators to be used in microgravity environments to develop and manufacture superior biotech products in space
The new microgravity end-to-end service will be available from 2025.

This service is an answer to the growing demand of the life sciences industry. The total in-space manufacturing market is expected to reach €7 billion in 2030.


Weltraumkongress, Berlin, Germany – October 18, 2023.

Three pioneering German NewSpace companies, Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Yuri, and ATMOS Space Cargo (ATMOS) announced their new partnership and launch of their joint end-to-end service for microgravity life science research and product development at this year’s edition of Weltraumkongress in Berlin, Germany. This holistic  solution represents an unprecedented and flexible alternative to the ISS laboratory and initiates a new generation for microgravity research and thus advancement in biotech, life science, and product development worldwide.

THREE NewSpace experts - ONE microgravity service

In this consortium, Rocket Factory Augsburg is responsible for the entire launch service, including the launch system, infrastructure, outbound logistics, and the operational launch campaign. RFA will be delivering ATMOS Space Cargo’s Phoenix capsule with Yuri’s ScienceTaxi to the precise target orbit in a flexible and low-cost manner. The company will be responsible for the integration of the Phoenix space capsule onto its RFA ONE launch system while providing late access to the payload.
The launch campaigns are to be carried out from SaxaVord Spaceport (previously known as Shetland Space Center) on Unst, the most northerly of the Shetland Islands in Scotland, UK.

Yuri operates the ScienceTaxi, which will be integrated into the Phoenix capsule by ATMOS Space Cargo. With its groundbreaking life science incubator and bioreactor solutions, Yuri will be responsible for the execution of biotech research and manufacturing in space.

ATMOS Space Cargo is responsible for the re-entry logistics and operating the return mission of the Phoenix return capsule which will be carrying Yuri’s ScienceTaxi. ATMOS will supervise and execute the safe return from low Earth orbit (LEO) to the Azores and carry out the early retrieval of the capsule after landing as well as the recovery mission to the final location.

Jörn Spurmann, CCO at Rocket Factory Augsburg:

“With “Eva” we will set up a unique global service that will allow breakthrough insights in BioTech and product development. Customers receive a complete solution from three experts in their respective fields, allowing them to focus on their core business. We are also particularly proud to be able to fully map the value chain with our partners in Germany. This is a great sign of German NewSpace Industry capability.”

Maria Birlem, Co-CEO at Yuri:

“In this new era of space exploration and commercialization, Europe and Germany must not only witness, but actively shape the future. With the combined strengths of Rocket Factory Augsburg, ATMOS Space Cargo, and Yuri, we’re not just aiming to level the playing field with the USA; we’re setting our sights on pioneering new frontiers in LEO commercialization. It’s high time Europe takes its rightful place at the forefront of space innovation.”

Christian Grimm, Lead Systems Engineer and Co-Founder of ATMOS Space Cargo:

“We are excited to establish the first full end-to-end service for biotech research in microgravity and thus creating new possibilities to utilize space for in-orbit product development. With our partners at Yuri and at the Rocket Factory Augsburg, we will boost the German NewSpace industry to the forefront of Europe’s expertise in space. This will mark the turning point for affordable in-orbit science and a possible role model for the commercialization of space – launch, return, repeat!”
 
— END —

Offline Steven Pietrobon

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #104 on: 10/26/2023 06:09 am »
Australian company Conflux Technology is providing 3D printed heat exchangers to RFA.

"Conflux expects its delivery of the launch-ready heat exchanger to RFA in early 2024."

https://www.industry.gov.au/news/keeping-rocket-engines-cool-3d-printed-technology
« Last Edit: 10/26/2023 06:09 am by Steven Pietrobon »
Akin's Laws of Spacecraft Design #1:  Engineering is done with numbers.  Analysis without numbers is only an opinion.

Offline PM3

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #105 on: 10/26/2023 07:40 pm »
https://twitter.com/rfa_space/status/1717552231795364073
Quote from: Rocket Factory Augsburg
This has been a very special day for RFA! Bringing @Erdayastronaut down to southern Germany to visit us 🚀 And what a blast we had!

To  shorten the time until the release of his video about it, we wanted to give you a sneak peek of the meet & greet at our headquarters
"Never, never be afraid of the truth." -- Jim Bridenstine

Offline PM3

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #106 on: 10/27/2023 07:20 am »
Quote from: Jeff Foust
UK helps fund Rocket Factory Augsburg’s maiden flight

TAMPA, Fla. — The UK Space Agency is providing £3.5 million ($4.3 million) to help Germany’s Rocket Factory Augsburg prepare for its maiden flight next year from SaxaVord Spaceport, located in Scotland’s Shetland Islands.

https://spacenews.com/uk-helps-fund-rocket-factory-augsburgs-maiden-flight/

Note that RFA One was announced as an ultra low-cost launcher,  € 3 million per launch as of 2021. There have been performance increasements and inflation since then, but $ 4.3 million could still be near the regular launch price.
« Last Edit: 10/27/2023 08:31 am by PM3 »
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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #107 on: 11/08/2023 02:43 pm »
https://twitter.com/esa_transport/status/1722152399219868082

Quote
ESA further boosts @rfa_space across Europe. 🚀

RFA One is an orbital vehicle that will have three stages and be launched from @SaxaVord_Space in the UK.
30 m tall and 2 m in diameter, RFA One targets a deployment capability of up to 1300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit.

RFA One is being developed in Augsburg, Germany 🇩🇪, with hot-fire tests of the engine and second stage performed at @SSCspace Esrange in Sweden 🇸🇪 under initial Boost! co-funding committed by @ESA in 2022.
Check out this hot-fire test of the Helix engine 🔥

The orbital stage for RFA One, Redshift, is being partly developed in Portugal 🇵🇹. @esa's funding is to aid manufacturing, assembly, integration and system tests leading to hot-fire tests of the Redshift orbital stage.

RFA One is set to be launched from @SaxaVord_Space, Shetland Islands, northern UK 🇬🇧. ESA is contributing to develop and deploy the launch pad infrastructure to further test the RFA One first stage, perform its inaugural launch and ensure regular service afterwards.

“We are especially pleased to see Boost! funds being distributed across @ESA Member States to support development of RFA One spurring pan-#European highly-skilled jobs and knowhow to foster commercial space.”

Details:

https://www.esa.int/Enabling_Support/Space_Transportation/Boost/ESA_further_boosts_RFA_One_across_Europe

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #108 on: 12/14/2023 06:45 pm »
twitter.com/rfa_space/status/1735352171816784240

Quote
4000kg cargo capability up and down. ✅
13 cubic meters of pressurized volume. ✅
2 unique Fenix engines. ✅
1 Inflatable Atmospheric Decelerator for full reusability. ✅
 
Argo was designed for heavy lifting.
Find out why at https://www.rfa.space/argo/

https://twitter.com/andrewparsonson/status/1735353195650531551

Quote
.@rfa_space have upped the payload capacity of Argo from 3.4 tonnes to 4 tonnes. This is very likely in response to ESA increasing its requirements for the agency's Commercial Cargo Transportation Initiative from 2 tonnes to 4 tonnes.

Online catdlr

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Offline Tywin

Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #110 on: 02/16/2024 06:44 pm »
The knowledge is power...Everything is connected...
The Turtle continues at a steady pace ...

Offline Explorer

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #111 on: 03/02/2024 02:24 pm »
RFA-One seems to grow in both size and power.

The UK Civil Aviation Authority published an Assessment of Environmental Effects report about the proposed operations at SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland including new and intriguing information never mentioned anywhere else about the new launcher from Rocket Factory Augsburg.

The rocket grows about 5m in height to 35.3m and (at least the fairing) .1m in diameter to 2.1m with the standard fairing. Said standard fairing measures 3.849m, there are also going to be a long fairing with 6.015m and the so called Hammerhead faring with a height of 8.044m and diameter of 3.3m which brings the rocket to a height of up to 40.5m. Additionally the 21m booster now has 13 staged combustion Helix engines instead of 9. This should bring the payload from 1.6t to LEO up to maybe 2.4t.

That was quite unexpected news.

https://europeanspaceflight.com/rfa-environmental-assessment-report-details-saxavord-operations/
Send orbiters to Uranus and Neptune, dammit.

Offline TrevorMonty

Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #112 on: 03/02/2024 05:20 pm »
Bit wary of launch company that keeps changing its design for first LV. They are also trying  to build cargo resupply capsule which will spread their financial and engineering resources thin.


Offline TheKutKu

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #113 on: 03/03/2024 01:35 am »
Bit wary of launch company that keeps changing its design for first LV. They are also trying  to build cargo resupply capsule which will spread their financial and engineering resources thin.

They’ve been talking about adding more Helix engines for some time already, at least a couple years. Also the first flight model is unchanged afaik, still 9 engines.

Offline yoram

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #114 on: 03/03/2024 06:48 pm »
I was wondering why RFA chose a 3 stage rocket over two stages. The trend for new launchers is towards two stages for simplicity.  I know a lot of older launchers did a third stage as a later capacity update (especially if they started as a ICBM like Soyuz or Atlas), but that doesn't seem like a good reason here.  If they just need a efficient upper stage for GTO etc. a better option might be some kind of space tug. Also if they focus on LEO where a lot of the new high volume launcher business is a third stage in general doesn't seem that useful. What could be the reasons for this design choice?

Offline Explorer

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #115 on: 03/03/2024 07:01 pm »
I think the RFA One actually is a two stage rocket with a space tug as third stage on top. They call it Redshift OTV (Orbital Transfer Vehicle), so yeah.

https://www.rfa.space/redshift/
Send orbiters to Uranus and Neptune, dammit.

Offline deltaV

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #116 on: 03/04/2024 02:04 am »
I was wondering why RFA chose a 3 stage rocket over two stages. The trend for new launchers is towards two stages for simplicity.  I know a lot of older launchers did a third stage as a later capacity update (especially if they started as a ICBM like Soyuz or Atlas), but that doesn't seem like a good reason here.  If they just need a efficient upper stage for GTO etc. a better option might be some kind of space tug. Also if they focus on LEO where a lot of the new high volume launcher business is a third stage in general doesn't seem that useful. What could be the reasons for this design choice?

For the lowest energy orbits, i.e. low inclination low altitude LEO, two stages seems to be the optimal choice. For high energy orbits like GEO, moon or Mars you need something more, either a third stage, space tug, or propellant transfer. So a two stage rocket with an optional space tug, as RFA is doing, seems like a good approach for a variety of orbits.

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #117 on: 04/03/2024 08:49 pm »
https://twitter.com/rfa_space/status/1775553111970435440

Quote
Rocket Factory Augsburg
@rfa_space
It's time to fly...almost!

These #Helix engines are now ready for installation on the first stage of #RFAONE. This team of pioneers is responsible for developing the first staged-combustion engine in the EU and shaping the future of more efficient and low-cost space exploration. And this is only the beginning.

Their next move? Just wait and watch.
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Offline Dmitry_V_home

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #118 on: 04/04/2024 04:16 pm »
I was wondering why RFA chose a 3 stage rocket over two stages. The trend for new launchers is towards two stages for simplicity.  I know a lot of older launchers did a third stage as a later capacity update (especially if they started as a ICBM like Soyuz or Atlas), but that doesn't seem like a good reason here.  If they just need a efficient upper stage for GTO etc. a better option might be some kind of space tug. Also if they focus on LEO where a lot of the new high volume launcher business is a third stage in general doesn't seem that useful. What could be the reasons for this design choice?

They may not have been able to solve the problem of re-igniting the second stage engine. Or they thought it was easier and cheaper to make the upper stage (which is still needed for high-energy orbits) than to tinker with re-ignition.

Offline ParabolicSnark

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Re: Rocket Factory Augsburg
« Reply #119 on: 04/04/2024 04:34 pm »
I was wondering why RFA chose a 3 stage rocket over two stages. The trend for new launchers is towards two stages for simplicity.  I know a lot of older launchers did a third stage as a later capacity update (especially if they started as a ICBM like Soyuz or Atlas), but that doesn't seem like a good reason here.  If they just need a efficient upper stage for GTO etc. a better option might be some kind of space tug. Also if they focus on LEO where a lot of the new high volume launcher business is a third stage in general doesn't seem that useful. What could be the reasons for this design choice?

They may not have been able to solve the problem of re-igniting the second stage engine. Or they thought it was easier and cheaper to make the upper stage (which is still needed for high-energy orbits) than to tinker with re-ignition.

Could be re-igniting the first stage or propellant management during the coast period. Firefly has had some issues there and Rocket Lab's Electron follows this strategy as well.

While having multiple engines in the factory is a great milestone, I'd bet they're looking at a mid-2025 launch by the time they get those fully integrated with the stage, complete their launch pad, perform their static fires, and clear the regulatory hurdles required for a new launch site.

I'm excited to see it - their product looks pretty solid and it'll be nice to have companies like this up and running in Europe. I recall thinking that Isar was going to be the more compelling outfit, but I haven't heard much of anything from them in a long time.

Tags: rfa-one 
 

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