21 Feb, 2025Isar Aerospace successfully completes Stage 1 & 2 static fire tests – final preparations for test flight beginIsar Aerospace successfully completes its Stage 1 nine-engine static fire test, the final technical milestone for first test flightIn-house developed launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ qualified for flightLaunch period for first test flight to be determined by Norwegian authorities as part of licensingMunich, 21 February 2025 – Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace is preparing for its first test flight, having successfully completed static firings of both stages of its launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’. The first flight will take place from Andøya Spaceport in Norway as soon as possible following Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approval and licensing.Launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ qualified for test flightOn February 14, Isar Aerospace completed the pre-flight stage testing operations with a 30-second integrated nine-engine static fire test of Stage 1, resulting in the qualification of the launch vehicle for flight. Stage 2 had been qualified in a static fire test already in 2024-Q3.“We are almost ready for the test flight. All we need is the license”, says Daniel Metzler, Isar Aerospace CEO & Co-Founder. “By enabling space access from mainland Europe, we provide a critical resource for ensuring sovereignty and resilience. Regarding the first test flight he adds: “I am extremely proud of our international team from over 50 nations. Reaching this milestone is a huge success in itself. And while Spectrum is ready for its first test flight, launch vehicles for flights two and three are already in production.”Isar Aerospace will industrialize launch vehicle productionIsar Aerospace has established itself as a technology leader, having developed proprietary know-how through full in-house vertical integration, spanning design, production, and testing & launch operations. “Owning the entire value chain of ‘Spectrum’ gives us maximum flexibility and independence”, says Josef Fleischmann, Isar Aerospace CTO & Co-Founder. “We develop, build, and test almost the entire launch vehicle in-house, including our ‘Aquila’ engines. The flight will be the first integrated test of tens of thousands of components”, says Fleischmann. “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.”Final preparations for test flight begin – premiere for continental EuropeIsar Aerospace’s first test flight will mark the first launch of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe. The team successfully completed all milestones of pre-flight preparations, including testing and accepting all in-house developed engines, the payload fairing, and static fire tests of both stages. The launch period for Spectrum’s first test flight will be determined as part of NCAA’s licensing procedure. The test flight will be conducted from Isar Aerospace’s exclusive launch site at Andøya Spaceport in Norway.
As of January 2026, ElevationSpace Inc and Isar Aerospace, a German-based satellite launch service provider, have signed a launch service agreement. ElevationSpace is currently developing a cutting-edge space environment utilization platform that can return to Earth after demonstrations and experiments in space. This agreement secures ElevationSpace's launch opportunity for its first demonstration spacecraft, AOBA, which is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.[...]ElevationSpace visited Isar Aerospace's production site and was convinced by their advanced technological capabilities and reliability, showcased through their highly automated and vertically integrated production process. Isar Aerospace’s ability to directly inject “AOBA” into the target orbit and their flexible launch scheduling were crucial factors in ElevationSpace's decision to sign the agreement."AOBA, which is based on Japan's wealth of small spacecraft re-entry technology, will be the first step towards the commercialization of LEO and the building of an on-orbit transportation network," says Ryohei Kobayashi, CEO of ElevationSpace. "We are delighted to be working with Isar Aerospace, a leader in European space development, on the launch of AOBA. Through this collaboration, we will accelerate the provision of services to users in Europe and also worldwide."
QuoteAs of January 2026, ElevationSpace Inc and Isar Aerospace, a German-based satellite launch service provider, have signed a launch service agreement. ElevationSpace is currently developing a cutting-edge space environment utilization platform that can return to Earth after demonstrations and experiments in space. This agreement secures ElevationSpace's launch opportunity for its first demonstration spacecraft, AOBA, which is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.
As of January 2026, ElevationSpace Inc and Isar Aerospace, a German-based satellite launch service provider, have signed a launch service agreement. ElevationSpace is currently developing a cutting-edge space environment utilization platform that can return to Earth after demonstrations and experiments in space. This agreement secures ElevationSpace's launch opportunity for its first demonstration spacecraft, AOBA, which is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2026.
In a 12 March update, Isar Aerospace announced that the Norwegian Space Agency had awarded the German rocket builder the contract to launch both AOS-D and AOS-P. The satellites will be launched aboard a Spectrum rocket from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway by 2028.“For the first time, Norwegian industry is delivering satellites designed and built in Norway under a government contract from a Norwegian launch site,” said Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency.
In the period of March 20th–30th 2025, operational activities are planned to be conducted from the location of Andøya Spaceport. The activities will lead to periodic closure of road FV 7698, as well as restrictions for the areas in Børvågen. A maritime danger area will also be established.
E) TEMPO DANGER AREA 'AIR DR' ACTIVATED DUE TO TEST LAUNCH FROMANDOYA SPACE STATION.
The media seem to have picked it up now:https://europeanspaceflight.com/inaugural-isar-aerospace-spectrum-launch-set-for-late-march/You'd almost think the journalist has been reading the forums here.
