Isar Aerospace successfully completes Stage 1 & 2 static fire tests – final preparations for test flight begin
Isar Aerospace successfully completes its Stage 1 nine-engine static fire test, the final technical milestone for first test flight
In-house developed launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ qualified for flight
Launch period for first test flight to be determined by Norwegian authorities as part of licensing
Munich, 21 February 2025 – Satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace is preparing for its first test flight, having successfully completed static firings of both stages of its launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’. The first flight will take place from Andøya Spaceport in Norway as soon as possible following Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approval and licensing.
Launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ qualified for test flight
On February 14, Isar Aerospace completed the pre-flight stage testing operations with a 30-second integrated nine-engine static fire test of Stage 1, resulting in the qualification of the launch vehicle for flight. Stage 2 had been qualified in a static fire test already in 2024-Q3.
“We are almost ready for the test flight. All we need is the license”, says Daniel Metzler, Isar Aerospace CEO & Co-Founder. “By enabling space access from mainland Europe, we provide a critical resource for ensuring sovereignty and resilience. Regarding the first test flight he adds: “I am extremely proud of our international team from over 50 nations. Reaching this milestone is a huge success in itself. And while Spectrum is ready for its first test flight, launch vehicles for flights two and three are already in production.”
Isar Aerospace will industrialize launch vehicle production
Isar Aerospace has established itself as a technology leader, having developed proprietary know-how through full in-house vertical integration, spanning design, production, and testing & launch operations. “Owning the entire value chain of ‘Spectrum’ gives us maximum flexibility and independence”, says Josef Fleischmann, Isar Aerospace CTO & Co-Founder. “We develop, build, and test almost the entire launch vehicle in-house, including our ‘Aquila’ engines. The flight will be the first integrated test of tens of thousands of components”, says Fleischmann. “Regardless of how far we get, this first test flight will hopefully generate an enormous amount of data and experience which we can apply to future missions.”
Final preparations for test flight begin – premiere for continental Europe
Isar Aerospace’s first test flight will mark the first launch of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe. The team successfully completed all milestones of pre-flight preparations, including testing and accepting all in-house developed engines, the payload fairing, and static fire tests of both stages. The launch period for Spectrum’s first test flight will be determined as part of NCAA’s licensing procedure. The test flight will be conducted from Isar Aerospace’s exclusive launch site at Andøya Spaceport in Norway.
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. More than EUR 400m in total 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
