The maiden flight of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket will carry multiple payloads from European institutions.

Germany

DLR Competence Center for Rapid Reaction Satellite Deployment (RSC³) – A project by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) focused on rapid satellite deployment.

TU Berlin, Institute of Aerospace Engineering – A research institution specializing in aerospace technology.

ZfT – Center for Telematics – A research center working on satellite-based communication and networking.

Norway

Norwegian University of Science and Technology – Contributing to scientific research and technology development in space applications.

Slovenia

University of Maribor, Institute of Electronics and Telecommunications – Conducting research in satellite communications and electronics.

Courtesy of Astrodrom

Spectrum is a two-stage, small-lift launch vehicle developed by Isar Aerospace, a private aerospace company based in Germany. The rocket is designed to provide dedicated and rideshare launch services for small satellites, aiming to expand Europe’s independent access to space.

Specs

Height: 28 m (92 ft)

Diameter: 2 m (6 ft 7 in)

Stages: 2

Payload to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 1,000 kg (2,200 lb)

Payload to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO): 700 kg (1,500 lb)

Spectrum is powered by liquid oxygen and propane, with nine Aquila engines on the first stage and one vacuum-optimized Aquila engine on the second stage.

Spectrum is designed for commercial and institutional satellite missions, offering a European alternative to existing small satellite launch services. The vehicle's first flight is planned from Andøya Spaceport in Norway.

Isar Aerospace has secured contracts with commercial satellite operators and the European Space Agency (ESA). If successful, Spectrum will be one of the first privately developed orbital launch vehicles in Europe, bolstering the region's commercial space sector.

Photo courtesy of Isar Aerospace

Andøya Space, formerly known as Andøya Rocket Range, is a Norwegian space research facility located on Andøya Island in Nordland County. Established in 1962, it has launched over 1,200 sounding and sub-orbital rockets. The facility is 90% owned by the Royal Norwegian Ministry of Trade and Industry and 10% by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace, operating on a commercial basis. In 1997, Andøya Space expanded its capabilities by supporting the SvalRak launch facility in Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard, enabling launches targeting the polar cusp region. The center has facilitated missions for ESA, NASA, JAXA, and DLR, contributing significantly to atmospheric and space research.

In recent years, Andøya Space has worked toward establishing orbital launch capabilities. Construction of Andøya Spaceport began in 2021, with the goal of supporting commercial satellite launches. The spaceport officially opened in 2023, marking Norway's first orbital launch site. Andøya Space has an exclusive commercial partnership with Germany’s Isar Aerospace, granting the company access to one of its launch pads for up to 20 years. This collaboration is set to enable some of the first satellite launches from European soil, further strengthening Europe’s independent access to space.

The facility’s strategic northern location allows for direct access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits without overflying populated areas, making it an optimal site for launching small-lift rockets. With the development of the new orbital launch pad, Andøya Space is poised to support a variety of missions, including those of Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket and other launch providers, contributing to the expansion of Europe's space infrastructure.

Courtesy of Wikipedia. Photo courtesy of Isar Aerospace.