Germany: 'Isar Aerospace' Launches Rocket to Earth Orbit from Norway
Launch of Spectrum rocket by Isar Aerospace from Norway
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
German company Isar Aerospace launched a rocket into Earth orbit from Norway on Saturday, as Europe seeks to bolster its ability to send low-cost satellites into space independently of the United States.
The company stated that the 28-meter-tall, two-stage “Spectrum” rocket lifted off at around 8:00 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time from the Andøya Spaceport, located north of the Arctic Circle.
In a post on the X platform commenting on the launch from Norway, the company said, “We are in orbit! We have just made European history: this is the first time a rocket developed by the private sector has reached orbit launching from continental Europe.”
About 10 minutes after the mission, dubbed “Onward and Upward,” began, the video feed was lost after the rocket exceeded the maximum communication range.
The German Federal Ministry for Research, Technology and Space affirmed on X that “Germany possesses capabilities in the field of spaceflight,” describing the launch as “a remarkable achievement that stunningly demonstrates the strength of innovation and technical expertise in our country.”
The launch follows months of delays due to technical issues and comes after a test flight in March 2025, during which a “Spectrum” rocket exploded shortly after liftoff.
Once ready for serial production, the German company will use the “Spectrum” rocket to send civilian and military satellites into low Earth orbit, at altitudes of a few hundred kilometers above the surface.
The rocket can carry approximately one ton, and Isar Aerospace says its factory near Munich will be able to produce more than 30 rockets of this model annually.
While French company Arianespace has long operated from French Guiana, Europe is betting on competition between Isar and other companies to launch satellites at lower costs in the future, similar to what Elon Musk’s SpaceX has achieved in the United States.
Speaking at the Berlin International Aviation and Space Exhibition in June, Mertz said, “Space is not only vital for our security, but has also become an increasingly important part of our economy.”
German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius announced a plan worth 35 billion euros to enhance the country’s space capabilities by 2030.
