Isar Aerospace and ESA sign contract to launch a mission under the European Commission Horizon 2020 Program
Munich, 01 December 2025 – Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to launch the ΣYNDEO-3 mission under the European Union’s In-Orbit Demonstration and In-Orbit Validation Programme (IOD/IOV). The launch will be carried out from Isar Aerospace’s dedicated launch complex at Andøya Space in Norway from Q4 2026.
“Our launch manifest is filling rapidly, as our global commercial and institutional customers recognize the value of flexible, cost-effective access to space,” says Stella Guillen, Chief Commercial Officer of Isar Aerospace. “ESA’s and the European Union’s growing trust in Isar Aerospace for new missions underscores how institutions are recognizing the importance of partnering with commercial innovators to jointly build sovereign space capabilities for Europe.”
Redwire is the prime contractor for the ΣYNDEO-3 mission and will be delivering its Hammerhead spacecraft for a launch onboard Isar Aerospace’s launch vehicle Spectrum to a low Earth orbit (LEO). The spacecraft was built and integrated at Redwire’s state-of-the-art satellite processing facility in Belgium. The spacecraft aggregates 10 innovative payloads from six countries and institutions: Spain, France, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg and the EC.
The IOD/IOV programme, funded by the European Union research and innovation programme H2020, aims to accelerate the deployment of new technologies through in-orbit demonstration and validation, stimulating growth of the European space ecosystem. ESA is entrusted by the European Commission for the implementation of IOD/IOV projects.
“I am pleased to confirm the conclusion of a launch service agreement between ESA and Isar Aerospace for the ΣYNDEO-3 mission,” says Dietmar Pilz, ESA Director of Technology, Engineering and Quality. “This collaboration supports ESA’s objectives in the in-orbit demonstration and validation programme and strengthens Europe’s access to space.”
Patrice Kerhousse, IOD/IOV Programme manager for ESA, adds: “The ΣYNDEO-3 launch service contract signature with Isar Aerospace is a key milestone for the IOD/IOV Programme. ΣYNDEO-3 is the largest spacecraft of the Programme, embarking 10 innovative European experiments. We are confident in the capability of Isar Aerospace to ensure a safe and reliable launch, bringing the mission to orbit very soon.”
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
About European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space, driving innovation and collaboration across its 23 Member States. ESA is an intergovernmental organization with the mission to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space delivers benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world. For more information, please visit: www.esa.int
About Redwire
Redwire Corporation (NYSE:RDW) is an integrated aerospace and defense company focused on advanced technologies. Redwire is building the future of aerospace infrastructure, autonomous systems and multi-domain operations leveraging digital engineering and AI automation. Redwire’s approximately 1,300 employees located throughout the United States and Europe are committed to delivering innovative space and airborne platforms transforming the future of multi-domain operations. For more information, please visit RDW.com.
Press contact Isar Aerospace
Franziska Kegel
press@isaraerospace.com
Disclaimer
This document was produced with the financial assistance of the European Union and ESA. The views expressed herein can in no way be taken to reflect the official opinion of the European Union or ESA.
