Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018 in Munich, Germany, is developing the Spectrum rocket for small satellite launches. The vehicle is designed to deliver up to 700 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO) or 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO).
Key features:
- Two-stage rocket, 28 m tall, 2 m diameter
- Powered by Aquila engines (9 on first stage, 1 on second stage, vacuum-optimized)
- Propellants: liquid oxygen (LOX) and propane
- Primarily in-house manufactured using carbon composites and advanced production methods
- Launch site: Andøya Space Center, Norway
- This mission ("Onward and Upward") is the second flight test following an initial attempt in 2025
Comparison table (approximate values from public sources):
| Rocket | Height (m) | Diameter (m) | Payload to SSO (kg) | Estimated Cost per Launch |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | 28 | 2 | 700 | ~$12 million |
| Firefly Alpha | 29 | 1.8 | 630 | ~$15–18 million |
| Electron (Rocket Lab) | 18 | 1.2 | 200–300 | ~$8 million |
Payload: Five CubeSats to SSO + one attached experiment (part of ESA's Boost! programme).
The launch will mark an attempt toward the first orbital flight by a Western European-developed rocket from Western European territory.
First Attempt: Mission Going Full Spectrum
Livestream expected via Isar Aerospace channels (weather and technical status permitting).
Livestream
NASASpaceflight: Isar Aerospace Launches the "Onward and Upward" Mission
Content about Isar Aerospace
Moritz Vieth (Senkrechstarter) gets a walkaround in Isar Aerospace's factory (German only): ISAR Aerospace Spectrum Rakete: Funktion, Fertigung und wo sie besser ist als das SpaceX Starship
Moritz Vieht (Senkrechtstarter) gets a look at the Aquila engine prototype (German only): Raketentriebwerk: Mo am ISAR Aerospace Engine Demonstrator | Was ist was? Wofür ist es gut?
Moritz Vieth (Senkrechtstarter) interviews founder and CEO of Isar Aerospace, Daniel Metzler (German only): Deutsche Rakete: Isar Aerospace Interview mit Gründer und Raketen CEO Daniel Metzler
Moritz Vieth (Senkrechtstarter) interviews Marco Stemer (VP Launch Vehicle) (German only): Isar Aerospace: technologisch schneller & besser entwickeln als der Oldspace, Interview Marco Stemer
Useful links to stay up to date on launches:
Spaceflightnow.com: Launch Schedule
Next Spaceflight: Launches
NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com