On March 30, 2025, Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket conducted its first test flight from Norway’s Andøya Spaceport, successfully lifting off and flying for approximately 30 seconds. The German micro-launcher deviated from its planned trajectory, ultimately resulting in a premature end to the test.
However, industry insiders and experts view the half-minute flight as a success and a significant milestone, marking the first time a launcher lifted off from continental European soil.
Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle, standing 28 meters tall and 2 meters in diameter, equipped with ten engines designed to deliver payloads of up to 1,000 kg into low Earth orbit.
Daniel Metzler, CEO of Isar Aerospace, expressed satisfaction with the test flight, stating, “Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success.” He highlighted the clean liftoff, the 30-second flight duration, and the validation of the flight termination system as key accomplishments.
Josef Aschbacher, Director General of the European Space Agency (ESA), commended the achievement, noting that the test provided valuable data for future improvements. He expressed confidence in seeing the next Spectrum rocket ready for its subsequent test flight soon.
Isar Aerospace, based in Germany, has received support from ESA’s Boost! programme, which aids commercial initiatives offering transportation services to, in, and from space. The company plans to analyze the data from this test flight to refine the Spectrum launch vehicle for future missions.
This milestone comes at a time when European policymakers are increasingly aware of the need to boost investment in the space sector. As Ludwig Moeller of the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI) put it: “I think it has become clear to everyone that it is time to be really serious about Europe’s independence and strength.”
The Spectrum launch serves as a symbol of Europe’s growing commitment to fostering innovation and strategic autonomy in space.
Photo: Isar Aerospace | Robin Brillert, Wingmen Media
