Quote from: Asteroza on 09/21/2023 04:15 amOddly 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.
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 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 ➡️
Three German NewSpace companies launch “Eva”, the world’s first end-to-end microgravity service for biotech research and product developmentOctober 18, 2023Rocket Factory Augsburg (short: RFA) offers flexible and low-cost launch services thus providing affordable access to spaceATMOS Space Cargo develops reusable, modular, and highly scalable return space capsules for any scientific payload, experiment, or equipmentYuri develops modular bioreactors and incubators to be used in microgravity environments to develop and manufacture superior biotech products in spaceThe 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 serviceIn 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 —
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
UK helps fund Rocket Factory Augsburg’s maiden flightTAMPA, 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.
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:
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/
.@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.
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.
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?
Rocket Factory Augsburg@rfa_spaceIt'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.
Quote from: yoram on 03/03/2024 06:48 pmI 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.