Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center
Isar Aerospace is expanding its testing operations with SSC Space at their Esrange Space Center in Sweden with a second test site
New facility enables testing of more than 30 engines per month, along with expanded integrated stage testing capabilities
Expansion increases testing capacity and enables faster development to meet growing demand for launch services
Munich, 04 February 2026 – Space company Isar Aerospace is taking the next step in making access to space scalable by significantly expanding its testing operations at the Esrange Space Center in Kiruna, Sweden. In partnership with SSC Space, the company will establish a second test site to support the development and production ramp-up of its ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicle.
While Isar Aerospace’s new production facility near Munich is nearing completion, with interior fit-out works underway, the expansion at Esrange will unlock new capabilities in scaling launch vehicle production: the availability of integrated acceptance testing capabilities to match an increased launch cadence.
The purpose-built acceptance test facility will be capable of testing more than 30 engines per month and will enable fully integrated stage acceptance testing, providing Isar Aerospace with greater flexibility and capability to meet growing market demand for launch services. The test sites are fully tailored to Isar Aerospace’s own requirements, supporting the company’s approach of vertically integrating launch capabilities across design, manufacturing, testing, and operations.
“Scaling reliable access to space requires not only advanced launch vehicle design but also the right infrastructure to support rapid development and production. With our second test facility at Esrange, we are unlocking new capabilities and accelerating our progress. The expanded site will allow us to test and qualify more engines and stages than ever before, supporting our ambition to make space access truly scalable. I would also like to thank the team at SSC Space for their professional partnership and collaboration,” said Can Araz, Vice President Spectrum at Isar Aerospace.
“We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Isar Aerospace as they expand their engine and stage testing capabilities at Esrange. This new facility strengthens Europe’s path toward scalable and reliable access to space, and it reflects the trust placed in our team’s experience in advanced rocket testing. Together, we are building the infrastructure that will enable a new generation of launch services and support the growing needs of the European space market,” said Mats Tyni, Director Business Development and Customer Operations, at SSC Space.
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 SSC Space
SSC Space (formerly Swedish Space Corporation) is a leading global provider of advanced space services, with more than 50 years of experience. We help space organizations, research institutes, commercial and institutional actors from all over the world to get access to space. With local presence on all continents and about 750 committed employees, we offer specialist expertise in satellite communications and satellite control services, spacecraft operations, rocket and balloon systems, launch services and flight test services, as well as engineering, operations and consultancy services for space missions. We enable successful space projects within Earth observation, telecommunications, security, meteorology, navigation and positioning, scientific research and other applications. Among our strongest assets are Esrange Space Center in northern Sweden, set out to be a leading provider of satellite launch services from mainland Europe, as well as one of the world’s largest commercial ground station networks for satellite communications. For more information, visit www.sscspace.com.
Press contact Isar Aerospace
Franziska Kegel
press@isaraerospace.com
Press contact SSC Space
Philip Ohlsson
philip.ohlsson@sscspace.com
