German Rocket Factory Augsburg will launch first Vertical Rocket from Scotland 🚀

Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA), a German launch startup, has received the first-ever license for a vertical orbital rocket launch from mainland Europe. Granted by the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), the launch will take place at SaxaVord Spaceport in the Shetland Islands, marking a historic milestone for Europe’s independent access to space. This achievement signifies a turning point for European space innovation, moving beyond reliance on ESA’s Kourou site in French Guiana. RFA's co-founder, Jörn Spurmann, hailed the license as a bold step toward sustainable and competitive space access.

October 2026

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