This article is based on an official press release from Isar Aerospace.

Isar Aerospace Clears Final Tests for Second Spectrum Launch

Isar Aerospace has officially confirmed the readiness of its Spectrum launch vehicle for its second test flight, marking a significant milestone in the European commercial space sector. According to a company press release issued on December 22, 2025, the Munich-based launch provider has successfully completed all necessary stage testing less than nine months after its debut flight.

The announcement signals a rapid turnaround for the company following its first test flight in March 2025. With the final technical hurdles cleared, operations are now focused on the launch pad at Andøya Spaceport in Norway. This development positions Isar Aerospace as a frontrunner in the race to establish sovereign orbital launch capabilities from continental Europe, particularly as competitors face ongoing delays.

Technical Readiness and Rapid Turnaround

The core of the announcement centers on the successful completion of integrated static fire tests. Isar Aerospace reports that both the first and second stages of the Spectrum vehicle passed 30-second hot-fire tests, validating the propulsion systems and stage integration. These tests are critical for ensuring that the vehicle’s Aquila engines, which burn a mix of Liquid Oxygen (LOX) and Propane, perform as expected under flight-like conditions.

The speed at which Isar Aerospace has returned to the pad is a central theme of their current campaign. The company emphasized that iterating quickly is essential for commercial viability.

“Being back on the pad less than nine months after our first test flight is proof that we can operate at the speed the world now demands.”

, Daniel Metzler, CEO of Isar Aerospace

Flight 2 Mission Profile

Unlike the maiden flight in March 2025, which carried no customer payloads, the upcoming mission is a fully operational demonstration. According to mission data, the vehicle is scheduled to carry 19 small satellites with a total mass of approximately 150 kg. The target orbit is a Sun-Synchronous Orbit (SSO), a standard destination for earth observation and communications satellites.

The payload manifest is comprised largely of winners from the DLR (German Space Agency) Microlauncher Competition. This initiative allows European institutions and small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) to launch their hardware at no cost. Participating entities include the TU Vienna Space Team, TU Berlin, and commercial SMEs such as EnduroSat and ReOrbit Oy.

Context: Learning from the First Flight

To understand the significance of this upcoming launch, it is necessary to review the outcome of the first test flight on March 30, 2025. That mission was classified as a partial success. While the rocket achieved a clean liftoff and flew for approximately 30 seconds, a loss of control occurred during the roll maneuver.

Post-flight analysis revealed that an unintended opening of a vent valve caused the anomaly, triggering the safety system to terminate the flight. The vehicle subsequently fell into the Norwegian Sea. However, the telemetry gathered during those 30 seconds allowed engineers to identify the specific valve issue and implement corrective actions, leading directly to the successful static fire tests announced this week.

AirPro News Analysis: The Race for European Sovereignty

The European launch sector is currently in a state of high pressure. With the heavy-lift Ariane 6 ramping up slowly and the Vega-C facing its own historical challenges, the continent has lacked a consistent, sovereign option for launching smaller payloads. Isar Aerospace’s ability to fix a failure and return to the pad in under nine months distinguishes it from traditional aerospace timelines, which often span years between test flights.

Competitors such as Rocket Factory Augsburg (RFA) and Orbex have faced setbacks, with launches slipping into 2026 due to testing anomalies and infrastructure delays. Consequently, Isar Aerospace’s upcoming mission is not merely a technical test; it is a bid to secure market leadership and prove that European startups can adopt the rapid iteration models popularized by U.S. competitors like SpaceX.

Launch Schedule and Logistics

While the vehicle is technically ready as of late December 2025, the actual launch window is dictated by logistics and weather conditions at the Arctic launch site. Current schedules indicate a target date of No Earlier Than (NET) January 13, 2026. Launching from Andøya presents unique challenges during the winter months, including harsh weather and limited daylight, which may influence the final countdown.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is the launch expected?

While the vehicle is ready now, the launch is currently targeted for No Earlier Than (NET) January 13, 2026.

What is the Spectrum launch vehicle?

Spectrum is a two-stage orbital launch vehicle developed by Isar Aerospace. It stands 28 meters tall and is designed to carry up to 1,000 kg to Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

Who are the customers for this flight?

The flight carries payloads for winners of the DLR Microlauncher Competition, including universities (TU Vienna, TU Berlin) and commercial companies like EnduroSat and UARX Space.

Sources: Isar Aerospace Press Release

South Korea Commits 2.3 Trillion Won to Reusable Methane Rocket Program

South Korea has officially pivoted its national space strategy toward reusable launch vehicles, aiming to compete in the rapidly evolving global commercial space market. According to reporting by The Chosun Ilbo, the Korea AeroSpace Administration (KASA) has secured a budget of approximately 2.3 trillion won (roughly $1.65 billion) to develop a next-generation launch vehicle capable of reaching the Moon by 2032.

The project, known as the Next-Generation Launch Vehicle (KSLV-III), marks a significant technological departure from the country’s existing Nuri rocket. While the Nuri relies on traditional kerosene engines and disposable stages, the new initiative prioritizes liquid methane technology and stage recovery, an approach popularized by industry leaders like SpaceX. The revised roadmap targets a drastic reduction in launch costs and aims to secure South Korea’s independent access to deep space.

Shift to Methane and Reusability

The core of the KSLV-III project is the transition from kerosene (Jet A-1) to a “methalox” system, a combination of liquid methane and liquid oxygen. Industry reports indicate that methane burns significantly cleaner than kerosene, producing less soot and residue (coking) in the engine. This characteristic is critical for reusable rockets, as it minimizes the refurbishment required between flights.

According to details released regarding the project, the new vehicle will feature an 80-ton-class methane engine. The design calls for a reusable first stage, similar to the operational concept of the Falcon 9, which will return to Earth for recovery. This reusability is central to KASA’s economic goals for the program.

“The project aims to develop a rocket capable of launching a lunar lander by 2032, utilizing technology similar to SpaceX…”

, Summary of KASA project goals

Cost Reduction Targets

Current estimates place the launch cost of the existing Nuri rocket at approximately 35 million won ($25,000) per kilogram. By transitioning to a reusable architecture, South Korea aims to reduce this figure tenfold. The program targets a launch cost of 3.5 million won ($2,500) per kilogram within a decade, with long-term ambitions to reach $1,000 per kilogram by the mid-2030s.

Development Timeline and Strategic Goals

The development schedule is aggressive, with KASA and its industry partners aiming to bridge the technological gap with established space powers in under ten years. The timeline outlined in recent reports includes several critical milestones:

• 2026–2029: Detailed design, ground testing of methane engines, and system integration.
• Late 2031: First test launch of the KSLV-III.
• 2032: Second flight test and the official mission to launch a 1.8-ton robotic lander to the Moon.
• 2035: Full commercial operation readiness.

The KSLV-III is designed to lift approximately 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO), roughly triple the capacity of the current Nuri vehicle. This increased payload capacity is essential for deploying constellations of commercial satellites and supporting future lunar exploration missions.

Industry Partnership Model

Unlike previous state-led initiatives, the KSLV-III project emphasizes a public-private partnership model to foster a domestic space ecosystem. Manufacturers Hanwha Aerospace has been selected as the System Integrator, effectively acting as the prime contractor responsible for manufacturing and operations. This role mirrors the commercial prime contractor model seen in the United States and Europe.

Additionally, a consortium involving Korean Air and Hyundai Rotem will focus on developing core components. Korean Air is tasked with turbopump development, while Hyundai Rotem will handle combustion chamber and power pack testing. This collaborative approach is intended to distribute technical risk and accelerate the acquisition of critical technologies.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to switch to methane is a pragmatic recognition of the “New Space” reality. Had South Korea continued with the originally planned kerosene-based evolution of the Nuri, the resulting vehicle would likely have been commercially obsolete by the time it reached the pad in 2032. In a market dominated by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 and the upcoming Starship, as well as Chinese commercial entities developing methalox rockets like the Zhuque-2, expendable kerosene rockets are rapidly becoming niche vehicles.

However, the timeline remains a significant risk factor. Developing a high-performance staged-combustion methane engine from scratch is a formidable engineering challenge. While the budget increase to 2.3 trillion won provides necessary resources, the “bumpy start” involving design changes and intellectual property discussions suggests that maintaining the 2032 lunar deadline will require flawless execution from the Hanwha-led consortium.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is South Korea switching from kerosene to methane?
Methane offers higher efficiency (specific impulse) and burns cleaner than kerosene. This reduces engine residue, making it the preferred fuel for reusable rockets that need to fly multiple times with minimal maintenance.

What is the payload capacity of the new rocket?
The KSLV-III is designed to carry approximately 10 tons to Low Earth Orbit (LEO) and about 1.8 tons to a Lunar Transfer Orbit (LTO), sufficient for a robotic lunar lander.

When will the rocket launch?
The first test launch is scheduled for late 2031, with a lunar landing mission targeted for 2032.

Sources

• The Chosun Ilbo

This article is based on an official press release from Starfighters Space.

Starfighters Space Closes $40 Million Reg A+ IPO, Begins Trading on NYSE American

Starfighters Space, Inc., a commercial space company known for operating a fleet of supersonic F-104 Starfighter Military-Aircraft, has officially closed its Regulation A+ Initial Public Offering (IPO). According to the company’s announcement, the offering generated approximately $40 million in gross proceeds. Following the close, the company’s common stock is scheduled to commence trading on the NYSE American exchange today, December 18, 2025, under the ticker symbol FJET.

The capital raise marks a significant transition for the Florida-based company, which operates out of the Kennedy Space Center. Starfighters Space intends to utilize the funds to scale its operations, specifically focusing on the development of its “StarLaunch” air-launch system and the expansion of its aircraft fleet. The company aims to leverage these assets to serve both defense and commercial markets through hypersonic testing and satellite launch services.

Offering Details and Market Debut

The Regulation A+ offering, often referred to as a “Mini-IPO,” allowed Starfighters Space to raise capital from both accredited and retail investors. According to the offering details released by the company, approximately 11.1 million shares were sold at an offering price of $3.59 per share. The offering was hosted on the investment platform Equifund.com, with Digital Offering, LLC acting as the lead selling agent.

In a statement regarding the milestone, Starfighters Space leadership emphasized the strategic importance of the public listing.

“The completion of Starfighter’s successful IPO and related fund raise positions us to unlock significant opportunities ahead as we enter the next stage of our growth… We expect to use the funds… to further drive our research and development efforts, including the development of our STARLAUNCH programs.”

— Rick Svetkoff, Founder and CEO of Starfighters Space

Strategic Expansion: From F-104s to F-4 Phantoms

Starfighters Space currently operates the world’s only commercial fleet of flight-ready Lockheed F-104 Starfighters. These Cold War-era interceptors are capable of sustaining speeds above Mach 2, making them valuable assets for testing scramjets, sensors, and thermal protection systems for defense contractors and partners like GE Aerospace.

However, the newly raised capital is earmarked for significant fleet expansion. According to the company’s roadmap, Starfighters Space is in the process of acquiring 12 McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II aircraft. These heavier fighters are intended to support the “StarLaunch II” program, providing the payload capacity necessary to carry larger rockets and more complex hypersonic test vehicles than the F-104 can accommodate.

The StarLaunch Concept

The company’s business model relies on two primary pillars: hypersonic research and commercial air-launch. The “StarLaunch” system utilizes the aircraft as a reusable first-stage booster. By carrying a rocket to an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet before release, the company aims to launch small satellites into Low Earth Orbit (LEO) with higher frequency and location flexibility than traditional vertical launch pads.

AirPro News Analysis

The successful closing of a $40 million Regulation A+ IPO is a notable achievement in a capital-intensive sector that has seen high-profile struggles recently. The air-launch market has faced skepticism following the collapse of Virgin Orbit in 2023. However, Starfighters Space differentiates itself through its choice of platform. Unlike Virgin Orbit, which utilized a modified Boeing 747, Starfighters employs tactical supersonic jets.

This approach offers distinct advantages for the hypersonic testing market, a sector currently experiencing high demand from the U.S. Department of Defense due to a shortage of high-speed test platforms. While the commercial satellite launch market remains crowded with competitors like SpaceX, the ability of Starfighters to offer supersonic testbeds for scramjet development provides a diversified revenue stream that pure-play launch providers lack. The acquisition of F-4 Phantoms will be a critical execution test for the company as it moves from a niche operator to a publicly traded aerospace firm.

Sources

Sources: Starfighters Space Press Release