A major step for Europe’s private space industry has been achieved as Bavaria-based Isar Aerospace successfully placed its Spectrum rocket into orbit from the Norwegian spaceport at Andøya.
The launch marks the first time a privately developed rocket has reached orbit from continental Europe, according to Isar Aerospace. “We’re in orbit! And just made European history: This is the first time a privately developed rocket reached orbit from continental Europe,” the company said on X.
Germany’s Ministry for Research, Technology and Space also welcomed the achievement, saying, “Germany has spaceflight capabilities,” and calling it a “milestone that impressively demonstrates our country’s innovative strength and technical expertise”.
The mission was Isar Aerospace’s 2nd attempt to launch Spectrum. Its first attempt, made 18 months ago, was unsuccessful.
Designed to carry small and medium-sized payloads, Spectrum carried 5 small satellites and an in-flight technological experiment. Isar Aerospace said the mission served as both the rocket’s qualification mission and its first flight carrying payload.
The successful launch could bring Europe closer to offering satellite launches from its own territory. Countries including Britain and Sweden have shown interest in the growing commercial space market.
In March, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Isar Aerospace’s launch site in support of the company’s efforts and Europe’s push for greater space autonomy amid changes in the global order under US President Donald Trump.
Isar Aerospace is also developing a 2nd launch site in Canada.
The company said the US launched 198 rockets last year, compared with just 8 from Europe. Isar aims to produce around 40 rockets a year. While Spectrum is not yet ready for mass production, the company has already secured orders through 2028.
The rocket is designed to carry civilian and military satellites into low Earth orbit, a few hundred kilometres above Earth’s surface.
The European space industry also includes SpaceX and ArianeGroup, a French joint venture between Airbus and Safran that operates a spaceport in French Guiana, South America.
Last week, Isar Aerospace said it had received €200 million ($232 million) from the European Space Agency (ESA) to support the development of new rockets and expand its testing and launch infrastructure.
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