Kista, February 2022. OHB Sweden AB, a subsidiary of the space and technology group OHB SE, and Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), Europe's leading launch service provider, have signed a contract for the RFA ONE orbital stage avionics. The avionics system shall be used on the first flights already.
Within the framework of this partnership, RFA will use OHB Sweden flight qualified Innosat's avionics platform for its in-house developed and built orbital stage. The InnoSat microsatellite platform is OHB Sweden's main platform concept based on 30 years of experience in the small satellite industry. It builds on the heritage from iconic missions such as Odin (still in operation after 20 years), SMART-1 (first ESA mission with electric propulsion to the moon) and PRISMA (innovative rendezvous and formation flight mission). Typical use cases are all 40-250 kg class microsatellites for Earth observation, science and telecommunications.
By that choice RFA opts for a flight-proven system for the orbital stage of its RFA ONE launch vehicle. The avionics will enable RFA to provide flexible, precise and cost-effective launch services with the orbital stage of its RFA ONE. This three-stage small rocket, with its highly efficient staged combustion engine and orbital stage, can deliver up to 1,350 kg to a 300-km polar orbit. The rocket is 30 meters high and 2 meters wide and has reached important milestones in its development over the past year. The RFA ONE is expected to launch up to fifty times a year in the future, delivering satellites into near-Earth orbit quickly and reliably at a highly competitive price point.
Benoit Mathieu, MD OHB Sweden:
“With this new contract, OHB Sweden demonstrates again to be at the forefront of innovation and enabling space ambitions of our partners. We base our excellence on the competences, agility, and engagement of our staff. We are convinced that these values fit well the partnership between OHB Sweden and a start-up such as RFA.”
Dr. Stefan Brieschenk, Chief Operating Officer at RFA, says:
“We are very pleased to have won OHB Sweden as a reliable and highly experienced partner for the avionics of our orbital stage. We benefit not only from the mature and well-founded system experience, but also from a great deal of knowledge and experience with regard to durable, robust and capable satellite platforms. This enables us to offer our customers precise and flexible transportation into orbit, as well as a wide range of other in-orbit services.”
About OHB Sweden
OHB Sweden is a provider of complete space missions, satellites as well as spacecraft subsystems. With more than 30 years of proven success from a wide range of space missions in low and geostationary orbit as well as spacecraft for interplanetary missions, OHB Sweden has acquired a first-class reputation offering reliable and innovative solutions to its customers. The key expertise from OHB Sweden lies in small satellites, AOCS and propulsion subsystems.
For more information on OHB Sweden, please visit: www.ohb-sweden.se
About Rocket Factory
Rocket Factory Augsburg was founded in 2018 with the mission to significantly reduce launch costs in the space industry. The company’s goal is to launch satellites into low Earth orbits on a weekly basis at unmatched prices. The launch system prototype under development shall be completed by the end of 2022. The RFA ONE launch service combines three key competitive advantages: A customer focused service with precise in-orbit delivery and a high degree of mission flexibility through its orbital stage, at a highly competitive price, made possible by superior staged combustion technology, industrial automation and low-cost structures.
For more information, please visit: www.rfa.space
Contact OHB Sweden:
Mr. Benoit Mathieu, Managing Director
Telephone: +46 8 121 40 190
Email: benoit.mathieu@ohb-sweden.se
OHB Sweden AB
Viderögatan 6
164 40 Kista
Sweden
Press Contact RFA:
Mr. Jonas Kellner
Telefon +49 821 999576-21
Email: jonas.kellner@rfa.space
Rocket Factory Augsburg AG
Berliner Allee 65
86153 Augsburg
Germany
