German space-launch startup Rocket Factory Augsburg has announced that the first flight of its RFA ONE small satellite launch rocket will carry a commercial payload, from Ukrainian company Lunar Research Service (LRS). The two companies signed the launch service contract in Bremen, Germany, on Thursday. The first flight of the RFA ONE will take place late next year, from Andøya in Norway. It will carry a research satellite from LRS, designed, and which will use a deployment system developed in-house, by the Ukrainian company. The satellite will gather data that will allow LRS to improve its ground to orbit communications system, and it will also carry and test a solar concentrator intended to be used on a future lunar mission.
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