RFA UK (Rocket Factory Ltd), the satellite launch company, has received £3.5 million in funding to support its plans to launch from Scotland’s SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland.

The announcement comes as UK science and technology minister, George Freeman, visits SaxaVord Spaceport to see the site’s construction progress and meet key members of RFA UK.

The funding was awarded by the UK Space Agency as part of the European Space Agency’s (ESA) Boost! Programme, which aims to aid the development of new launch technologies and bring them to market.

RFA UK, which is a subsidiary of Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA AG), is headquartered in Grantown-on-Spey. The company plan to use the funding to develop and operate the infrastructure and test equipment needed to enable them to launch RFA ONE satellite rockets from SaxaVord Spaceport.

Measuring 30 metres tall and 2 metres wide, the RFA ONE rocket is a three-stage launch vehicle capable of deploying up to 1,300 kg to a 500 km polar orbit. The firm said that the rocket boasts efficient and environmentally friendly Helix staged-combustion engines, stainless steel tanks, and standardised components from other industries.

Jörn Spurmann, managing director of RFA UK and chief commercial officer at RFA AG, said: “The support received from the UK Space Agency underscores their strong confidence in our approach. We are eagerly anticipating our inaugural orbital launch in mainland Europe from the SaxaVord Spaceport on British territory.”

George Freeman MP, minister of state at the department for science, innovation and technology, meanwhile commented: “Through our c£1.5bn UK space funding programmes the Government is backing satcomms technology, space science, missions and infrastructure to support the commercial satellite sector.

“This £3.5 million investment will enable RFA UK to develop the technologies necessary to launch from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland, creating dozens of jobs locally and growing the Scottish cluster as a key part of the UK space sector.”

It’s been anticipated that around 90 skilled jobs will be created locally when the Spaceport site becomes fully operational.

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Matt Archer, director of launch at UK Space Agency, remarked that: “Our investment to Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) UK demonstrates our continued commitment to make the UK Europe’s leading destination for launch by encouraging the development of launch companies.

“This contract will help RFA UK and SaxaVord Spaceport prepare for their first launch, creating high skilled jobs and supporting Government’s vision for the UK to be Europe’s most attractive launch destination by 2030.”

Finally, Scott Hammond, SaxaVord Spaceport deputy CEO, said: “We are delighted that the UK Space Agency has awarded this funding to our client to help them progress towards launch from our site in Unst, the UK’s first vertical launch spaceport.”

One of the last times DIGIT reported on a story involving SaxaVord Spaceport was in July this year, when suspected Early Bronze Age ritual remains were discovered while groundworks were taking place.