Key facts
- Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) aims to launch its RFA One rocket on August 10 from SaxaVord Spaceport, Scotland.
- The final Pegasus XL rocket completed its mission on July 4, launching the 'Link' satellite.
- Impulse Space and Relativity Space are now eligible for US Space Force launch contracts.
- Isar Aerospace will build a dedicated launch complex in Nova Scotia, Canada, with launches targeted for 2028.
- The 110th and likely final Atlas V rocket launched 29 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper.
Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) is preparing for the inaugural flight of its RFA One launch vehicle, with a window opening on August 10 from SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. This follows an earlier static fire test that resulted in a first-stage fire nearly two years ago.
In other space industry news, the final air-launched Pegasus XL booster successfully deployed the 'Link' satellite for Katalyst Space Technologies on July 4. This mission aimed to boost the orbit of NASA's Swift satellite. The Pegasus rocket, first deployed in 1990, is likely making its last flight.
The US Space Force has expanded its pool of bidders for launch contracts by including Impulse Space and Relativity Space. Impulse Space is developing a 'kick stage' called Helios, designed to enhance the performance of existing launch vehicles, while Relativity Space is progressing with its Terran R rocket.
Isar Aerospace, a German company, has partnered with Halifax-based Maritime Launch Services Ltd. to build a dedicated launch complex for its Spectrum rocket at the Nova Scotia site. Isar Aerospace Canada Inc. has been established for this purpose, with construction planned to begin this year and launches potentially starting by 2028. This move supports Canada's goal of developing sovereign launch capabilities.
United Launch Alliance (ULA) recently completed the 110th flight of its Atlas V rocket, carrying 29 satellites for Amazon's Project Kuiper constellation. While several more Atlas V flights are planned, primarily for Boeing's Starliner, the rocket is nearing the end of its service life.
Additionally, ArianeGroup and Beyond Gravity have signed a new contract for the supply of 27 payload fairings for the operational phase of the Ariane 6 heavy-lift rocket.