Launch service provider Rocket Factory Augsburg AG (RFA) has successfully hot-fired its upper stage for a full duration of 280 seconds.
This marks the successful completion of the Integrated System Test (IST) campaign, in which a staged-combustion Helix engine was integrated into an upper-stage tank system and hot-fired several times prior to completing the full duration in the final test.
This is the first time in Europe that a privately developed staged combustion upper stage has been successfully hot-fired.
In the now successfully completed IST campaign, all stage-level systems and components were tested. The final test was a full-duration burn of 280 seconds.
This makes RFA the 1st private company in Europe to successfully hot fire a stage with a staged-combustion engine for its full duration. With this long-duration burn, the Helix engine is now qualified at the same time for both the first and second stage flight.
”The upper stage performed flawlessly and ran through the full 310s autosequence without tripping any redlines. The engine run-time was 280s and no damages could be identified after the test. This is the first successful qualification test of our upper stage, and we are super proud of our team for designing, building and testing in such a time- and cost-efficient fashion” said Dr. Stefan Brieschenk, the company’s Chief Operating Officer.
“The data we have collected will allow us to tune all stage sub-systems, for both the upper and first stage. Our next big step is the first stage hot firing test. We are approaching our first launch with great strides, it is getting serious,” he added.
Dr. Stefan Tweraser, RFA’s Chief Executive Officer added: “This successful test is a massive leap forward for us. It’s a full confirmation of our strategy to develop a small launcher that is both very powerful and achieves cost-leadership.
With this full duration test we have demonstrated once again that we are able to complete more milestones with less, but smarter investments than any of our competitors”.
The campaign, which was conducted at Esrange Space Center in Sweden, is the most important milestone in the development process so far: 280 seconds of steady-state combustion proved the functionality and compatibility of all upper-stage systems, including fueling processes, fuel management, pressurization, sensors, propulsion, and control.
Valuable data was collected for further engine and stage optimization. RFA will now focus on the assembly of the first stage and continue the construction work on the launch pad.
