German Startup Isar Aerospace Achieves First Commercial Orbital Launch from Continental Europe

Isar Aerospace launched a 28‑meter Spectrum rocket from its launch complex in Norway on Saturday night, carrying five small satellites into orbit. The flight, named ‘Onward and Upward’, marks the first time a privately developed rocket has reached orbit from continental European soil. The German Ministry for Research, Technology and Space praised the launch as a milestone that showcases the country’s technical expertise. The success follows a failed first flight in March last year that ended with the rocket crashing into the sea. Isar plans to serially produce the Spectrum, targeting more than 30 launches per year, and is developing a second launch site in Canada. The achievement comes ahead of the International Space Summit in Paris, where European leaders will discuss a new Space Shield action plan.