The rocket is designed for serial production and is aiming to use a large number of
COTS components to reduce production and launch costs. Major components of the engines of the first two stages are to be
3D printed. In August 2021 RFA performed a cryogenic pressure test on a prototype first stage, during which the prototype burst. In April 2024, RFA reported successful installation of five of nine Helix engines onto RFA One's first stage in preparation for transport to SaxaVord Spaceport for hot-fire stage testing. The first stage of the RFA One arrived in
SaxaVord Spaceport in May and successfully performed its first hot fire test with five Helix engines that same month. On Monday, 19 August 2024, a
static fire test of the
first stage with all nine engines, the stage that was slated to fly on the maiden flight of RFA One, experienced an anomaly that resulted in a fire, subsequent explosion, loss of the stage, and major damage to the launch mount. Ground testing of a new RFA One launch vehicle is slated for 2025, which is also the revised estimate for a first orbital launch attempt. A launch license was granted by the
Civil Aviation Authority on 16 January 2025, limiting the company to 10 launches per year as well as no more than two in any given month, and requires 60 days' notice for
range safety purposes. == List of launch plans ==