Rocket Factory Augsburg - RFA

You asked: "How many times can the Fenix engine be ignited?" We tracked down our group lead for Redshift propulsion, Filipe Barreiro, to give you the answer. Fenix is the name of the bi-propellant pressure-fed engine that drives Redshift, our Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV). With 1.5 kN thrust and its re-ignition capability, Fenix enables our precise and flexible delivery services. For our first test flight we will conduct two burns: the main burn and a circularization burn. However, for future missions we have the capability to perform even more ignitions. We've already demonstrated the ability to successfully perform more than just two ignitions 🔥 Thanks to @Horashi0 for this great question on X! #AskRFA

We're coming in hot (fire) with an update on our third stage: We have completed a full duration hot fire of the fully integrated Redshift OTV, qualifying it for flight. As always, our approach for this hot fire was to get as close to the real thing as possible. So it included a nearly 600s (10 minutes!) burn after an assumed stage separation, followed by a 40 minute coasting phase simulation, and a 30s orbit circularization burn. Welcome to LEO! The team will now prepare the fully qualified Redshift OTV for its shipment to SaxaVord Spaceport UK, where it will be integrated with the payloads for the first test flight later this year. Enjoy the video with a look behind the scenes ⬇️

Meet Erika McDowell 👋 She's one of our Technical Project Managers, responsible for managing our propulsion and stage three (#Redshift) activities. Erika joined RFA in October 2023, bringing with her many years of experience in rocketry. In her own words, her favorite part of the job is "Embracing the complicated chaos and crafting it into a cohesive puzzle." Want to join Erika? See all our jop openings here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dk8qmvU

Attention, satellite friends! 🛰️ While we are closing in fast on our first test flight, we are already planning ahead: for our second test flight, we still have 200kg of payload capacity available! You have a satellite up to this size? And you want it to be precisely deployed in a polar orbit next year? Please get in touch to receive a special offer for your customized transport “ad astra” here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/d2F3z5Gi

Got questions about RFA? Ask away! We're launching a new series where we answer all your burning questions! Curious about launch details, technical specs or our mission goals? Now's your chance. 🚀 Drop your questions in the comments below and stay tuned to see if your question gets answered! #AskRFA

Europe has its own rocket again! 🚀 🇪🇺 Congratulations to European Space Agency - ESA, its member states, and the European space industry on a successful first launch of #Ariane6, and the restoration of European access to space! Here's to many more successful flights and close cooperation in shaping the future of European space travel! #TeamSpace 📸 ESA/S. Corvaja

Curious about the progress of our second stage? We've got you covered! 👇 Here's a brief update: After it arrived back in Augsburg following a rigorous testing campaign, we attached a vacuum version of our Helix engine, the HelixVAC to stage two and shipped it back off to Sweden for final acceptance testing before it heads to SaxaVord. What's the difference between the Helix and the HelixVAC? Well, the most notable differences are between the start systems and engine bells. Let us explain! 🔹 At sea level and during the ascent to orbit, atmospheric pressure pushes sideways against the exhaust plume. We make the nozzle smaller on the standard Helix engine to prevent flow separation and keep the exhaust jet intact within the engine bell. 🔹 But in the vacuum of space, we don't have that issue. This means we can use a much bigger nozzle that enables targeted acceleration of exhaust gases for a longer duration. ⭐ FUN FACT: the vacuum nozzle glows, because it isn't actively cooled at the lower end, but yet it does not melt although it reaches almost the same temperature as the exhaust jet! We use a spin start system for both engines that gives the turbopump an initial push with Nitrogen before the preburner ignites. But here's the difference: 🔹 For stage one, we use the launch pad's Nitrogen system to save weight on the vehicle. But stage two carries its own high-pressure Nitrogen bottle, which we proudly decorated with our team's signatures, as one can see in the picture. Stay tuned for more updates on our stage progress! #SpaceExploration #Engineering #Innovation #RocketScience #HelixEngine #SpaceTechnology

Skilled with LabVIEW? Looking for an exciting challenge? You've seen the right post! We're looking for a LabVIEW Control and Systems Integration Engineer to join us at our HQ in Augsburg. 🔧 Key Responsibilities: Develop bespoke test, embedded, and distributed control systems using LabVIEW across Windows UI, Real-Time, and FPGA layers. Create and maintain TCP/IP and UDP serialization and communication libraries. Design and implement robust, modular, and reusable code libraries. 🎓 Essential Qualifications: Degree in software engineering, robotics, electronic engineering, or a related field. Certified LabVIEW Associate Developer (CLAD) certificate or equivalent LabVIEW training. Strong problem-solving skills, both theoretical and practical, with a hands-on approach to diagnosing electrical and electronic issues. If you're ready to boost your career into orbit, we want to hear from you! 🔗 Apply Now: https://lnkd.in/emMWv8xa #LabVIEW #EngineeringJobs #CareerOpportunity #EngineeringExcellence #Hiring

"The rocket is one thing – what it takes to really get this thing off the ground is a story all of its own." Everything (ok, at least a lot) you ever wanted to know about our launch site is packed inside our new blog post, including: ❓ Why we are launching from SaxaVord ❓ How we designed & built our launch pad ❓ What are the systems and safety considerations in place Read the full article here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/dMcu39Bf

Meet our CCO Jörn Spurmann, our Head of Acquisition and Delivery Dr. Ibrahim Ata, and our Institutional Sales Manager Dorottya Milankovich today at the Space Transportation Ecosystem Conference in Munich, Germany. Learn more about the STE Conference 2024 here 👉 https://ste-conference.eu/