Rocket Report: China may try a boost soon; Rocket Lab responds quickly

RFA’s parent company raised a lot of money. German technology company OHB has announced that it intends to raise up to 510.7 million euros ($580 million) by issuing approximately 1.7 million new shares, European Spaceflight Reports. In addition to its main satellite manufacturing business, OHB is involved in two launch vehicle programs through its MT Aerospace division, which is the main supplier of the Ariane 6 program, and its part in the Rocket Factory Augsburg.

Strong interest in the business environment … Founded in 2018 as a spinoff of OHB, Rocket Factory Augsburg is working to start the launch of its RFA One rocket, which has an uncertain date due to the failure of the first stage during the fire test in August 2024. Separately, this week, the launch company revealed plans for two large rockets.

Sirius Space claims a pad in French Guiana. The French space agency, CNES, has selected Sirius Space Services to work on the new multi-user launch facility at the Guiana Space Center, European Spaceflight Reports. This space became a reality after MaiaSpace changed its plans to house the former Soyuz launch pad.

Three types of small containers … Sirius Space is developing three types of rockets based around conventional rockets. The smallest is the Sirius 1, a single stick rocket with two stages, which can send a payload of 180 kilograms into orbit. The Sirius 13 adds two cables, increasing the payload to 800 kilograms, while the largest vehicle, the Sirius 15, has four larger payloads and tops out at 1,100 kilograms.

Pam Melroy joins Gilmour’s management team. Australian aerospace company Gilmour Space he said this week appointed former NASA deputy administrator, astronaut, and retired US Air Force Colonel Pamela Melroy to its board of directors. “I am delighted to be joining Gilmour Space at such an important time in its journey,” Melroy said in a statement. “This group is creating an opportunity for independence in Australia, with ambitions that continue to be established.”