The first-ever orbital rocket launch from continental Europe is on the horizon, with Germany-based Isar Aerospace gearing up for the maiden flight of its Spectrum rocket. The historic launch is scheduled for no earlier than Monday, March 24, from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway. The three-hour launch window will open at 7:30 a.m. EST (1130 GMT) and close at 10:30 a.m. EDT (1430 GMT).
The first stage of Isar Aerospace's Spectrum rocket rolls out to its launch pad in Norway. Credit: Isar Aerospace
A Landmark Launch for Europe
This mission marks not only Spectrum’s debut but also the first-ever liftoff from the Andøya Spaceport, which was completed in 2023. The facility was purpose-built to support Spectrum and its operations, making the launch a milestone for both Isar and the European space industry.
Unlike typical commercial missions, Spectrum's first flight will not carry any customer payloads. Instead, Isar plans to prioritize data collection, aiming to gather valuable insights to refine the rocket’s performance.
A New Player in the Launch Market
Standing 95 feet (28 meters) tall, Spectrum is positioned as a small to medium-lift vehicle, capable of delivering up to 2,200 pounds (1,000 kilograms) into low-Earth orbit. This places it between Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket (56 feet/17 meters) and SpaceX’s Falcon 9 (230 feet/70 meters) in terms of size and capacity.
The two-stage rocket was entirely designed and developed by Isar over the past seven years. It is powered by nine liquid oxygen and propane-fueled engines on its main booster, while a single Aquila multi-ignition engine handles orbital insertions and maneuvers.
Even before its first test flight, Spectrum has attracted commercial interest. On March 12, Isar announced a contract with the Norwegian Space Agency to launch the Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) satellites by 2028. The mission aims to enhance Norway's maritime monitoring capabilities.
"The launch of the AOS satellites from Andøya Spaceport will be a true milestone for Norwegian space activities. We look forward to a robust partnership with Isar Aerospace and seeing Spectrum in action," said Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency, in a press release.
Isar has adopted a pragmatic approach to Spectrum’s first flight, with realistic expectations. The company has outlined six key mission milestones, ranging from liftoff to orbital insertion. However, the primary objective remains data collection rather than reaching orbit, as few rockets successfully do so on their first attempt.
With the European space industry aiming to establish its own foothold in the growing commercial launch sector, Spectrum’s upcoming flight represents a significant step toward greater autonomy and competitiveness.
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