Isar Aerospace receives NCAA Permit for launch and is ready for first test flight
Isar Aerospace granted Permit for Launch by Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA)
Launch period for first test flight set to begin 20 March 2025
Objective for first integrated test of the launch vehicle is to collect as much data and experience as possible
Munich, Germany / Andøya, Norway 17 March 2025 – Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace receives its permit for first flight. On Friday, 14 March the company has been granted the Launch Operator License by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its first test flight from Andøya Spaceport. Subject to weather, safety and range infrastructure, the company is preparing to conduct the first test flight of its Spectrum launch vehicle under this permit, with a launch period beginning 20 March 2025.
Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’: first flight of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe
Isar Aerospace’s first test flight will lift-off from Andøya Spaceport in Norway. With the mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’, Isar Aerospace will conduct the first flight of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe. The first test flight will not include any customer payloads.
“We are approaching the most important moment of our journey so far, and I would like to thank all our team, partners, customers and investors who have been accompanying and trusting us.” says Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace. “In today's geopolitical climate, our first test flight is about much more than a rocket launch: Space is one of the most critical platforms for our security, resilience and technological advancement. In the next days, Isar Aerospace will lay the foundations to regain much needed independent and competitive access to space from Europe.”
Objective of first mission: collecting as much data and experience as possible
With the first test flight, Isar Aerospace aims to collect as much data and experience as possible. The company’s Spectrum launch vehicle was designed, developed and built almost entirely in-house. For Spectrum it is the first fully integrated test of all systems.
“Our goal is to test each and every component and system of the launch vehicle”, says Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President Mission and Launch Operations at Isar Aerospace. “No matter how far we come with this test flight, Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’ will be a reason for our entire team to be very proud, a success for Isar Aerospace and our close partner Andøya Spaceport, and a huge step forward for European access to space.”
The test results will feed into the iterations and development of future Spectrum vehicles, which are being built and tested in parallel.
Launch site Andøya Spaceport
Andøya Spaceport is continental Europe’s first operational orbital launch site and was established to facilitate commercial and institutional satellite launches. The spaceport construction started in 2021. Isar Aerospace has exclusive access to Andøya Spaceport’s first launch pad, which the company has designed to its own specifications.
About Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’
For more details about the Spectrum launch vehicle and the test flight Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’ visit: https://www.isaraerospace.com/first-test-flight
Media / Journalists will be provided ongoing information and updates about the first test flight and its outcome here: https://www.isaraerospace.com/newsroom-first-test-flight
About Isar Aerospace
The European space company Isar Aerospace develops, builds and operates launch vehicles for transporting small and medium-sized satellites as well as satellite constellations into Earth’s orbit, with the mission of opening space for future generations. 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. Isar Aerospace’s two-stage orbital launch vehicle Spectrum is specifically designed for satellite constellation deployment, enabling access to one of the most critical technological platforms: space. More information: www.isaraerospace.com
Press contact Isar Aerospace
Tina Schmitt, Head of Communications
E press@isaraerospace.com
About Andøya Spaceport
Andøya Spaceport is strategically located on Andøya in Northern Norway, at 69° north and 16° east, a prime location for horizontal, sea-based, mobile or vertical launches. This northern vantage point, free from significant air and maritime traffic, provides optimal conditions for safe and efficient operations over the vast oceans of the north. With high-end infrastructure, Andøya Spaceport facilitates design and innovation for future launch operations with up to 1,500 kg payload capability. Once completed, our Full Operational Capacity will support up to 30 missions per year to orbital inclinations from 90° to 110.6° for commercial, military, government and institutional satellite customers. For more information visit: https://andoyaspace.no/spaceport/
Press contact Andøya Spaceport
Betine Bjørdal
E Betine.bjordal@andoyaspace.no
