The agreement combines tested rideshare and space mission supply chain management expertise with an emerging launch provider for frequent, low-cost, and precise launches throughout Europe
At the SPACE TECH EXPO EUROPE, Precious Payload, a marketplace for satellite launches, announced it has included upcoming Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) launches to its comprehensive launch schedule entitled Launch.ctrl for commercial satellites. This formalizes the plan for Precious Payload to take onboard a new rideshare provider creating more launch opportunities for payload developers. Satellite teams will find upcoming RFA missions online from a variety of launch sites including European facilities in the United Kingdom, French Guiana, and others. RFA is targeting end-of 2023 for its first launch.
“The demand for access to cost-effective, last-mile delivery launches is growing rapidly from customers with payloads of all sizes and types,” said Andrew Maximov, CEO and co-founder of Precious Payload. “Having multiple launch options across different price points, orbital destinations, and facility locations is a key feature for our savvy payload developer customers. RFA brings increased price competitiveness and launch frequency from various launch locations throughout Europe. We’re looking forward to extending our launch vehicle portfolio and rideshare services to now include RFA ONE, and we wish them well on their upcoming maiden flight.”
Leveraging its location in the hub of the German automobile manufacturing industry, RFA has worked to minimize launch system costs using its unique serial production and assembly approach. RFA ONE is a three-stage, 30-meter rocket that can deliver up to 1,350 kg to a polar Earth orbit. The company successfully completed the first test campaign of its Helix flight configuration engine in July 2022, confirming its trajectory towards service commercialization.
RFA has already signed launch contracts with the German government and about a dozen other customers for launches starting in 2023. The RFA ONE rocket is expected to launch up to fifty times per year in the future, delivering satellites into near-Earth orbit precisely and reliably at a highly competitive price point.
The Launch.ctrl platform by Precious Payload is designed to minimize costs and development timelines while maximizing launch schedule reliability and mission assurance. Beyond merely functioning as a marketplace for satellite launches, its templates for mission description and workplace for team collaboration bridge the gap between payload engineers and launch provider´s business development, sales, marketing, and launch management teams.
“Precious Payload has pioneered and truly defined the online rideshare marketplace and we’re thrilled to distribute our future launches via their Launch.ctrl platform,” commented Jörn Spurmann, Chief Commercial Officer of RFA. “The software is a lead magnet for every payload developer looking for a launch or other related services, from insurance to SSA tools. Together with their expertise and insights into the launch and in-space transportation market, we can provide the industry with more flexibility, a simple and intuitive booking process and options for competitively priced launches to LEO and beyond.”
Earlier this year, Precious Payload unveiled a new version of its commercial launch schedule, and released customized pages for launch providers, their vehicles, and upcoming missions with all available launch service operators (including brokers and OTVs). Using Precious Payload’s robust Launch.ctrl platform, payload developers around the globe can easily browse every potential commercial launch for their spacecraft.
