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