Morpheus Space and Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for cooperation — the two companies will work closely together in the field of propulsion technology.
RFA intends to integrate Morpheus propulsion systems into the orbital stage of its RFA ONE launch vehicle system (pictured above) to improve its overall performance and sustainability. The RFA ONE is expected to launch up to 50 times a year in the future, delivering satellites into near-Earth orbit quickly and reliably at a highly competitive price point.
Executive Comments
Dr. Stefan Brieschenk, Chief Operating Officer at RFA, said, “For launch vehicles, engines with staged combustion are the best choice: high efficiency allows significantly higher payloads and the best possible energy, CO2 and cost balance of the overall system. For the satellites launched in orbit, Morpheus’ electric propulsion systems are leading the way: in-space propulsion systems with an unprecedented price/performance ratio will set new standards. The combination of both propulsion technologies will ultimately enable our customers to access space in the most efficient and cost-effective way – from the ground to many years of service-in-orbit.”
“The Morpheus team is thrilled to be signing a memorandum of understanding with RFA for its RFA ONE launch vehicle system and to support more sustainable practices in the space industry,” said Daniel Bock, co-founder and CEO at Morpheus Space. “Through integrating our electric propulsion systems, we are able to provide a network of small, highly efficient thrusters that are also cost effective. As we approach a defining era of space, access to space mobility technologies has to be a necessary part of every exhibition. RFA and its customers are getting ahead of what will likely become a catastrophic issue should other NewSpace companies continue to not take the threat of space debris seriously.”
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 develop a launch vehicle prototype by the end of 2022 which can launch satellites into low Earth orbits on a weekly basis at unmatched prices. The RFA ONE launch vehicle combines three key competitive advantages: a highly cost-efficient architecture using industrial automation and lowest-possible development costs, precise in-orbit delivery by its orbital stage, and superior propulsion systems using staged-combustion.
Morpheus Space is introducing a fully integrated ecosystem for satellite mobility that enables truly dynamic satellite constellations, the future of the New Space economy; a fusion between cutting edge electric propulsion and artificial intelligence. Its solution package enables satellite service providers to operate entire constellations as one entity by utilizing the world’s smallest and most efficient space qualified (TRL-9) propulsion system servicing satellites.
