Isar Aerospace achieves first commercial orbital launch from European soil
The German startup's Spectrum rocket successfully deployed payloads from Norway, ending Europe's reliance on foreign launch providers for small satellites.
German startup Isar Aerospace successfully launched its second Spectrum rocket from Andøya Space in Norway on September 5, 2026. The mission, titled "Onward and Upward," reached orbit and deployed its payloads, marking the first time a commercial space company has successfully delivered satellites into orbit from European soil.
Lifting off at 10:12 pm CEST, the Spectrum vehicle—a two-stage rocket measuring 28 meters in height and two meters in diameter—demonstrated its capability to carry 700 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). The payloads for this mission were selected through the German Space Agency (DLR) Microlauncher Competition and funded via ESA Boost!.
The Path to Orbit
Founded in 2018, Isar Aerospace has spent years developing the Spectrum rocket to provide sovereign launch options for the European continent. The success of the "Onward and Upward" mission follows a difficult start; the rocket's first flight in March 2022 failed within the first minute of flight. The company used the data gathered from that initial failure to inform the design and execution of this second qualification mission.
Breaking the Launch Bottleneck
This achievement addresses a critical infrastructure gap in the global space industry. By establishing a commercial, sovereign launch alternative within Continental Europe, Isar Aerospace reduces the region's dependence on non-European providers for the deployment of small and medium-sized satellites.
Daniel Metzler, CEO and Co-Founder of Isar Aerospace, stated that the company has "opened space from Continental Europe," noting that launch capacity has historically been the largest bottleneck for the industry. He emphasized that the company now provides a "true alternative" for both institutional and commercial customers.
Scaling for the Future
To meet anticipated demand, Isar Aerospace is aggressively expanding its infrastructure. The company is currently scaling production through a new 40,000 m² facility, with the goal of reaching a production capacity of up to 40 launch vehicles per year.
Beyond its Norwegian operations, the company is constructing an additional launch complex in Nova Scotia, Canada. This new site will allow Isar Aerospace to support mid- to high-inclination orbits, further diversifying its orbital capabilities and expanding its global reach. This strategic expansion ensures that the company can serve a wider array of orbital requirements while maintaining its foothold in the European market.