CEiiA and Rocket Factory Augsburg - RFA Portugal have completed the main structures of the RFA ONE orbital launcher, a new European launcher.
Over the past years, RFA Portugal and CEiiA have joint efforts in the development and production of some of the main structures of the new launcher. These structures include the payload fairings, stage separation flanges and the main structure the Redshift orbital transfer vehicle.
Rui Magalhães, Director of CEiiA's Space Unit (Upstream) adds: ‘The development of such complex structures for the RFA ONE launcher is a remarkable achievement. We are thrilled to be part of this moment, after years of joint development. This is the largest space structures programme ever developed in Portugal. It paves the way for future opportunities in our country's global launch vehicle market.’
They are now travelling from Portugal to their destination in SaxaVord (Scotland). All together, these structures represent the third stage of the launcher. They will be assembled with the rest of the RFA ONE and erected vertically in the launch pad soon for its inaugural test flight.
In the coming years, the space sector is expected to continue to evolve rapidly, driven by technological advances such as the reuse of launchers, the miniaturisation of satellites and the development of new materials. The commercialisation of space, including space tourism and resource exploitation, is expected to grow exponentially. Furthermore, international collaboration and public-private partnerships will be crucial to meeting the challenges and promoting sustainable and affordable space exploration.
