RFA’s first and second rocket stages arrive at SaxaVord spaceport in February 2026. Photo: RFA

A long-awaited rocket launch from the U.K. has moved a significant step closer. Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) has delivered its first and second stages of the RFA ONE launch vehicle to SaxaVord Spaceport in Scotland. The company is planning to undertake its first test flight this summer. RFA announced the milestone, March. 6.

The first stage was newly built and tested in Augsburg in Germany before being delivered to the launch site at SaxaVord in February 2026, where it will be further integrated with its rocket engines. The nine Helix engines are currently being tested in Sweden and will be delivered to SaxaVord on a rolling basis. Following a successful hot fire test at the Esrange Space Center in Sweden, the second stage has now been transported to the SaxaVord Spaceport, where it has arrived and is currently undergoing final checks.

The timing gives the U.K. launch market a significant boost, a market that has had more than its fair share of issues in recent years. Less than a month ago, Orbex, another aspiring launch provider, announced that it had to appoint administrators after fundraising, merger and acquisition opportunities all concluded unsuccessfully. Its demise was another blow to the U.K. launch market.

RFA had planned to launch from SaxaVord in August of 2024, but an engine exploded during a hot fire test ahead of the launch.

“Following the incident in 2024, we thoroughly reviewed, analyzed, and tested everything and improved the systems to achieve even greater reliability. The arrival of our first and second stages at the SaxaVord spaceport is proof of our team’s commitment and expertise,” Dr. Stefan Brieschenk, Chief Development Officer, RFA, said in a statement.