Isar Aerospace is set to launch the first orbital rocket from continental Europe soon. Today, February 21, the German company announced that the test campaign of its Spectrum rocket’s first and second stages has been completed. Isar will now proceed with launch preparations, waiting for authorities licensing.
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Closer to liftoff
The European race to launch new light launch vehicles may have reached an important milestone. In the coming weeks, the Munich-based company is going to inaugurate its rocket and launch pad in Norway.
According to the company, the static fire of the first stage was successfully carried out on February 14. All nine engines were fired for 30 seconds on the pad. The second stage had been previously qualified during a static fire test in the third quarter of 2024.
Designed, built and tested ✅ Pending regulatory approval, we are Go for flight.
— Isar Aerospace (@isaraerospace) February 21, 2025
Read more: https://t.co/F4nmx0zyPO#fromisartospace pic.twitter.com/qHkmE9scvJ
Now Isar is waiting for approval from the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). The launch window will be determined as part of the NCAA’s licensing procedure.
As already announced in November 2024, the company is working on the preparation for the second and third flights, supported by ESA’s latest funding under the Boost! program.
Josef Fleischmann, Isar Aerospace CTO and Co-Founder stated: “The flight will be the first integrated test of tens of thousands of components. Regardless of how far we get, this first test flight will hopefully generate an enormous amount of data and experience which we can apply to future missions.”
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About Spectrum
Founded in 2015, Isar Aerospace is developing orbital launch vehicles to provide Europe with independent access to space for small and medium satellites. The company raised more than €400 million in private funding as well as multiple contracts from ESA and the German government.
Spectrum is a two-stage rocket propelled with liquid oxygen and propane. The vehicle stands 28 meters tall, and 2 meters in diameter. It will carry up to 1000 kg of payload to LEO and 700 kg to SSO orbit.
The first stage is powered by nine Aquila engines, while the second stage features an adapted single engine with reignition capabilities.
In 2021, Isar secured a 20-year contract for the exploitation of an exclusive launch pad at the Andoya Spaceport in Norway. The breathtaking location of the launch site will surely offer enthusiasts exciting and unique views.
