Isar Aerospace targets second launch not earlier than 21 January 2026
Andøya, 16 January 2026 – Space company Isar Aerospace is approaching its second flight and qualification mission from the company’s dedicated launch complex at Andøya Space in Norway, further advancing Europe’s sovereign space capability. The launch is targeted for not earlier than 21 January, with a launch window opening at 09:00 pm CET, subject to weather, safety, and range clearance.
“This qualification flight is a deliberate step toward delivering sovereign access to space for Europe and allied nations. Just ten months after proving that launch vehicles can be designed, built, and launched from continental European soil, we’re ready to fly again. Europe’s immediate need for space access is clear. Rapid iteration is essential to developing space capabilities precisely when they are required,” said Daniel Metzler, CEO and Co‑founder of Isar Aerospace.
Mission objective: operational qualification
Mission ‘Onward and Upward’ aims at validating the launch vehicle’s critical systems under operational conditions. It is Isar Aerospace’s first flight to carry payloads with five CubeSats and one experiment. “The insights we gain with this mission will strengthen Europe’s space infrastructure, a capability essential for defense readiness and economic resilience,” said Alexandre Dalloneau, Vice President Mission and Launch Operations at Isar Aerospace.
Mission ‘Onward and Upward’ is supported by ESA’s Boost! Program. Through Boost! Isar Aerospace won the first Microlauncher Competition of the German Space Agency at DLR, which resulted in the selection of the payloads onboard of this flight.
‘Spectrum’ launch vehicles 3-7 in production
Isar Aerospace is rapidly advancing Europe’s orbital capabilities through leveraging a unique vertically integrated, automated production system. The company designs and manufactures its ‘Spectrum’ launch vehicles almost entirely in-house. With vehicles 3-7 already in production and a new 40,000 m² facility near Munich opening in 2026, Isar Aerospace is positioned to address rising global demand for space access.
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About Mission ‘Onward and Upward’
For more details about Mission ‘Onward and Upward’ visit: https://isaraerospace.com/mission-2
You can follow the launch in a public livestream. The corresponding link will be shared before the launch. Press will be provided ongoing information and updates about the mission and its outcome here: https://isaraerospace.com/mission-updates-overview
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
