RFA starts hot fire campaign of its first stage

First fire! We have successfully kicked off the hot fire campaign for our first stage at SaxaVord Spaceport. We hot-fired a total of four Helix engines, igniting one by one at four second interval. All engines ran simultaneously for 8 seconds with a total hot-fire duration of 20 seconds. The test ran flawlessly through start-up, steady-state and shutdown.
With this hot fire, we were able to demonstrate that we can nominally operate and control our first stage and all its systems, as well as a cluster of Helix engines.
RFA and our incredible team are marching steadfastly on towards our first test flight, not only in Scotland but also in Augsburg, Portugal and Sweden. Special thanks to our partners at SaxaVord Spaceport for their support at all levels.

[@MattLowne]

Congratulations to team RFA! Huge step towards first flight, and I'm so excited to see the first vertical rocket launch from the UK 😍

[@valmine7507]

wow hello matt lowne how are you

[@NickH-o5l]

Hey, I know you!

[@chronablitz]

/Scotland

[@OwnittEdits]

@@chronablitz It can be considered the UK too mate.

[@chronablitz]

@@OwnittEdits I know but everyone's making such a big deal about it even though this isn't the first launch from the uk, launcher one coined that. Not to mention that it's a German company, they launched V2's from German soil in the war, why not launch from home turf? The real hype will come when a rocket launches from British/English soil, not Scottish soil.

[@ross077]

Thanks for showing us all these incredible camera angles.

[@ZeroGravityGains]

Let's goooo RFA 🚀🚀🚀, goosebumps when the first engine ignited🔥, such a huge achievement. I respect and salute the hard working people🫡.

[@michaelbryce4421]

Awesome. Congratulations to RFA and Saxa Vord Spaceport.

[@marcjunghansphotography2134]

Gratulation an das Team der RFA und an alle die mitgeholfen haben so weit zu kommen. Sieht einfach aus, ist aber eine enorme Leistung über alle Diszipline hinweg. Respekt und Bewunderung. Macht weiter so - das wird (ist jetzt schon) ein super Erfolg auf weltklasse Niveau. 💯💯💯💯

[@MarcoTedaldi]

That was impressive! Congratulations to the whole Team and thank you for taking us along with the ride!

[@petachad420]

Congratulations team RFA, hope a bright future awaits. For all mankind!

[@MarkHopewell]

As a former British resident of Augsburg, I was very interested to hear about this development.

[@simonwhite8474]

Really big smile from here in the UK. Well done fellas.

[@matthewwynn7787]

This is amazing, I can't wait to go up and watch the launch in person.

[@berliner_6711]

Viel Erfolg kann man nur wünschen! Ich hoffe, ihr schafft das!

[@TLBSBD]

Congratulations from America! I am so excited to what you all do in the future!

[@AnushkaSharmaNushkino]

Exciting times, congratulations all. Hope to get to watch the first launch in person 🎉

[@keyzer1888]

Congratulations guys!!!!

[@shqipe5335]

I literally live next to the Rocket Factory of Augsburg. I can see it from my window haha. I never knew exactly what they are even doing. That’s kinda interesting because i am just sitting on my bed, seeing their lights still turned on and wanted to know what they actually do. So i ended up here haha 😂

[@the1natester734]

That shutdown was cleaaan

[@regolith1350]

Go go go RFA! I really like RFA's philosophy and scrappy attitude. I think they are the closest thing to a European version of SpaceX. I wish them luck!

[@Pottery4Life]

WOOT!! Congratulations!!

[@RedRyan]

If I was in Europe I would definitely try to work with you guys. I currently work for Arojet Rocketdyne in Washington state

[@GeorgesK-t6t]

Félicitations de France à toute l'entreprise et à votre belle équipe internationale. J'attends avec impatience votre premier tir réel. J'espère que vous "tirerez" les premiers. Bon courage..

[@christianferracane]

AMAZING. Nice job guys!

[@IronHideVideos]

Awesome! Great work and Congratulations!

[@65psf]

This is fantastic RFA. Paul @ Rexel Lerwick

[@JesseBusman1996]

Awesome footage! Great work everyone!

[@djpaintles]

Congratulations! Best wishes going into orbit!

[@churchstreetshufflechurchstree]

Just watched Tim Dodd and wow! He knows engineering and the simplicity of a complicated world it can be. I doubt in time he will upgrade to make a 300bar rocket with a bigger beer keg

[@stefanharfich6356]

I like your control room, looks very basic (almost like in someone’s living room), not as posh as others

[@Pimp-Master]

Needs more testing. Next time, install the CEO on the rocket.

[@lennartkienle5157]

Looks awesome, so happy to see your success

[@lordriccola]

amazing view, with an even more amazing rocket

[@stephanschmidt2334]

This is the only company I'd like to work for.

[@generalflix]

Simply awesome!

[@marshall_banana]

glückwunsch :)

[@VulgaSpace]

Wonderful !

[@some-replies]

To infinity and beyond gentlemen.

[@ArztvomDienst]

Gänsehaut!

[@ADummie]

Impressive stuff!

[@engine42]

Very nice progress and of course pictures. So next time with 9 engines? :)

[@PalNevets-rx9wp]

It's not a proper rocket until you get the Bird flying away for its life shot (35secs) Congratulations. I hope everyone is buckled down. This is going to be one hell of a ride.

[@wildsamu9796]

well done!

[@madhavilatha7847]

Congratulations 💐💐

[@dissaid]

Awesome!

[@NickH-o5l]

LETS GOOOOOOOO

[@Airbuspower-q5f]

Macht so weiter

[@coffeehouse44]

Came here after watching Everyday Astronaut video with you guys

[@neolala2409]

Let them cook 🥹🥹 #GoRFA

[@schneeekind]

Stark Leute 👑

[@marc21091]

Thunderbirds are go - or will be soon, on Unst....

[@benjaminrickdonaldson]

Was that a honk at the end? Getting some raptor vibes

[@joyo0076]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch, wo ist euer Testplatz?

[@Sachertortehmmlecker]

Ist nur in dem "weiß angelaufenen" Bereich Treibstoff?

[@onurruzgar4635]

How many times can these engines start?

[@StacyHill-k9k]

Hirthe Port

[@AeonExploration]

does the extremely staggered ignition reflect an actual flight’s?

[@WizardUli]

I'm very sure that it was just to characterise how vibrations and torque (due to asymetrical thrust) changes, how plumes interact, whether there are some unexpected interactions via fuel system etc... Now they have data for different engines sets/count. I expect them to normally start in pairs tenths of a second after each same as F9 or Electron (both have 9 engines too).

[@AlfredPrimo-p3d]

Martin Scott Young Donna Lewis Susan

[@rnedisc]

Nothing like some vague music score over the sound of a rocket engine... Who thought that was a good idea.

[@valmine7507]

sad that newer european start ups are not that shown on the internet

[@imrevadasz1086]

Everyday Astronaut (KZbin channel) just recently released a great video on RFA and Isar Aerospace. Now that both get close to their first launch attempts, they will probably get much more attention.

[@valmine7507]

@@imrevadasz1086 yeah, sadly its only the two most popular ones 😔

[@martinilopez1]

speaking in english?? a german proud company??? what a shame!