Isar Aerospace launches first commercial European rocket to orbit
International Business Times UK
A German startup, Isar Aerospace, successfully put its 28-metre, two-stage Spectrum rocket into orbit from Andøya Spaceport in Arctic Norway, deploying five CubeSats and a technology experiment on the mission named "Onward and Upward." The flight follows a terminated maiden attempt in March 2025 and represents the first commercial orbital launch from continental Europe. Isar says it is well funded, has five more rockets in production, launch capacity booked through 2028, a new 40,000-square-metre facility near Munich, and an approximately €197.8 million ESA contract under the European Launcher Challenge.
Isar achieved the first commercial orbital launch from continental Europe.
Context
Isar's first maiden flight in March 2025 ended with vehicle termination and no injuries. On Saturday its Spectrum rocket reached orbit and deployed payloads. Next, the firm must repeat success and scale production for booked launches.
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