Gateway to space for Europe: Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre visit Isar Aerospace launch site
Andøya, Norway, 13 March 2026 – As part of German Chancellor Merz’ first official visit to Norway, a high-ranking political delegation from Norway and Germany today visited the launch site of Isar Aerospace at Andøya Space. The visit by Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Minister of Trade and Industry Cecilie Myrseth, and Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik, alongside German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius, and Federal Minister of Research, Technology and Space Dorothee Bär, underscores the strategic importance of Isar Aerospace for Europe’s sovereign space capabilities and the continent’s security and industrial resilience.
Daniel Metzler, CEO and Co-Founder of Isar Aerospace, said: “There is now clear recognition that space is essential for our defence and that true sovereignty begins on the launch pad. The challenge now is to turn this understanding into decisive action, with targeted investments and strong partnerships to deliver results. Today’s visit by government delegations from Norway and Germany highlights that momentum must be maintained to secure Europe’s sovereignty in space – by building it here.”
The delegation toured Isar Aerospace’s launch pad at Andøya Space, which serves as the primary launch site for the company’s ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle. Designed, built, and operated by Isar Aerospace, the launch site reflects the company’s commitment to vertical integration. This approach encompasses not only the design, manufacturing, and testing of its launch vehicles, but also the development and operation of all test and launch facilities.
The visit highlights the deepening partnership between the two nations and Europe’s renewed space ambitions. Germany’s Defence Minister Boris Pistorius just recently announced a €35 billion defence budget dedicated to building sovereign space capabilities for strengthening Germany’s security. Norway, which has invested significantly in its own space capabilities, has long understood the importance of space, making Andøya Space Continental Europe’s first orbital launch site.
Isar Aerospace is currently finalizing preparations for its qualification flight. The launch window for the 'Onward and Upward' mission is scheduled to open NET March 19. This mission will be a decisive step in proving the reliability of the ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle and cementing the German-Norwegian gateway to space for Europe, NATO and its allies.
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About Isar Aerospace
The European space company Isar Aerospace offers launch services for transporting small and medium-sized satellites and satellite constellations into Earth orbit. The launch vehicles used to transport these satellites are developed, manufactured, and tested almost entirely in-house. Headquartered near Munich, Germany, Isar Aerospace was founded in 2018 and has grown to over 400 employees from more than 50 nations, working across 5 international locations. Private funding from international investors provides strong backing for the company’s pioneering approach to scale and industrialize launch vehicle production through vertical integration. More information: www.isaraerospace.com
Press contact Isar Aerospace
Franziska Kegel
press@isaraerospace.com
