German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket
Isar Aerospace, a German startup, successfully launched its Spectrum rocket into low-Earth orbit from Norway, marking Europe's first fully commercial orbital rocket launch. This achievement positions Isar Aerospace as a leader among European launch startups, aiming to increase competition in the region's space industry.
Why it matters
This milestone signifies a new era for European spaceflight, providing sovereign access to space and a commercial alternative for satellite launches, which could boost Europe's technological independence and economic competitiveness in the global space market.
True north German company becomes first in Europe to launch fully commercial orbital rocket “We achieved within a few years what had taken the European space industry decades before.”
2 Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket climbs away from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket climbs away from Andøya Spaceport in northern Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace Text settings Story text Size Small Standard Large Width * Standard Wide Links Standard Orange * Subscribers only Learn more Minimize to nav Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018 by three students at a German university, successfully launched a privately-developed rocket into low-Earth orbit Saturday from a Norwegian spaceport inside the Arctic Circle.
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