Edge Rewrite
location Source code View original
// request.cf · coarse context

A page that knows where it met you.

Only coarse request metadata is shown. This demo does not display or persist visitor IP addresses.

Country
US
Cloudflare location
CMH
Connection
HTTP/2
Language
Not provided

Ray ID: a3fee4ccaccfd806

Jump to content

Spectrum (rocket)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Spectrum (Rocket))

Spectrum
Render of the Spectrum rocket taking off from the launchpad
FunctionOrbital launch vehicle
ManufacturerIsar Aerospace
Country of originGermany
Size
Height28 m (92 ft)
Diameter2 m (6 ft 7 in)
Stages2
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass1,000 kg (2,200 lb)
Payload to SSO
Mass700 kg (1,500 lb)
Launch history
StatusOperational
Launch sites
Total launches2
Success(es)1
Failure1
First flight30 March 2025
Last flight5 September 2026
First stage
Powered by9 x Aquila
PropellantPropane/LOX
Second stage
Powered by1 x Aquila
PropellantPropane/LOX
[edit on Wikidata]
Aquila
Country of originGermany
DesignerIsar Aerospace
ManufacturerIsar Aerospace
Application
StatusOperational
Liquid-fuel engine
PropellantLOX / Propane
CycleGas-generator cycle
Performance
Thrust, sea-level75 kN (17,000 lbf)
Used in
Spectrum

Spectrum is a two-stage orbital small-lift launch vehicle built by German company Isar Aerospace.[1] Development of the Spectrum commenced during the 2010s. Much of its design has been produced internally. A key target during development was the price point of €10,000 ($11,700) per kg, as well as to be as flexible as possible as to suit a wide variety of payload requirements. Isar Aerospace has arranged to launch Spectrum from both the Andøya Spaceport in Norway and the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana. Early customers for the launcher include Airbus Defence and Space, the German Aerospace Center (DLR), and Spaceflight, Inc.

Spectrum is the first rocket developed/built in Germany to reach orbit,[2] the first orbital rocket to launch successfully from Western Europe (European rockets had previously only launched from the Kourou spaceport, Russia has launched satellites from the Plesetsk Cosmodrome)[3][4], and the first privately developed launch vehicle from Europe.[5][6] Previously, three rockets developed in Germany had crossed the Kármán line (the V-2 in 1944; a rocket by the Berthold-Seliger research and development company in 1963; and the Mapheus sounding rocket in 2009[7]).

Design

[edit]

Spectrum is a two-stage launch vehicle designed to carry both small- and medium-sized satellites.[1] It has a maximum payload capacity of 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) to low Earth orbit (LEO) or alternatively up to 700 kg (1,500 lb) to a Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). Isar Aerospace has promoted the launcher as possessing considerable flexibility, better allowing it to fulfill the varying demands of its prospective customers.[1] According to the company, the vast majority of Spectrum's development and manufacturing is in-house, including that of its Aquila engines. It is a relatively compact rocket, in part facilitated by the high energy density of its propellant, which comprises a combination of liquid oxygen and propane.[1] It has been designed to achieve a price point of €10,000 ($11,700) per kg.[8]

The first stage of Spectrum is powered by an arrangement of nine Aquila engines, while the second stage uses a single Aquila engine.[1] This second stage engine is to be equipped with a multi-ignition system, permitting it to be shut down and reignited if the launch profile should require such an arrangement, eliminating the need for an additional kick stage.[9] The propellant is supplied to the engines at high pressure via a turbopump.[1] In March 2023, Isar Aerospace reported having performed 124 hotfires of the Aquila engine during the prior year, these test runs having been performed at Esrange, Sweden;[10] these tests demonstrated greater than anticipated performance with one of these engines being fired on six separate occasions without any intervening refurbishment.[11]

The rocket's structure is made of a single-part carbon composite and is manufactured with an automated process. This lightweight material offers the highest payload performance.[12]

Launch sites

[edit]
Map of orbital launch sites at the Guiana Space Center, with Spectrum launches being planned to take place at the former Diamant launch site.

Andøya Spaceport

[edit]

In April 2021, a 20-year deal was signed by Isar Aerospace for exclusive access to one of the Andøya Space launch pads in Norway. Due to its location, inclinations between 87.4 and 108 degrees can be reached from this launch site, targeting Sun-synchronous and polar orbits.[13][14]

Guiana Space Centre

[edit]

In July 2022, Isar Aerospace announced that it had been selected by France's National Centre for Space Studies (CNES) to conduct launch operations at the former Kourou Diamant Launch Site at the Guiana Space Centre, which had been last used for an orbital launch in 1975. The low latitude of this launch site allows it to be used for equatorial and medium inclination orbits. The first launch to take place from this launch site had been scheduled for 2024.[15] By 2025, however, Isar delayed the "start of operations" at Kourou to 2027 at the earliest.[16]

Spaceport Nova Scotia

[edit]

On 7 July 2026, Isar signed a deal with Maritime Launch Services (MLS) to develop a purpose built Spectrum launch site at Spaceport Nova Scotia (SNS).[17] The plans for the launch pad where expected 1 September, the handover of the pad to Isar on 1 November 2026, with the pad to be operational on 31 December 2027.[17] The US$3.75 million quarterly lease will last for a 10-year term with two optional additional 5-year terms.[17]

On 1 September it was announced that Isar and MLS could not agree on a finalized design and extended the deadline to do so to 15 September.[18] Following the 2nd launch of Spectrum on 5 September, Isar reiterated that they are targeting launches at SNS in 2028 as their first outside Norway.[19] On 14 September Isar and MLS announced that they had finalized the statement of work and programmatic milestones for the launch site, and had begun building infrastructure towards the pad location.[20] On 15 September American Small-Sat ride-share provider SEOPS announced that they had purchased 5 spectrum launches in 2028 for their Waymaker missions, with an unspecified number of these launches to be at SNS.[21]

Launches

[edit]

In 2021, multiple launch arrangements using Spectrum were announced by companies such as Airbus Defence and Space,[22][23] EnduroSat,[24] and Astrocast.[25] In December 2021, Isar Aerospace and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) announced that a total of seven small satellites would comprise the institutional payload to be carried on Spectrum's first flight.[26] In early 2023, Spectrum's first American customer, Spaceflight, Inc., agreed to terms for a dedicated launch from Andøya during 2026 along with an option for a 2025 launch.[27][28]

In December 2021, the first launch of Spectrum was anticipated to take place sometime in 2022.[26] By March 2023, Isar Aerospace was reportedly aiming for the first flight to occur sometime during the second half of 2023.[29][30] However, by November 2023, this milestone was postponed again to 2024.[31] Plans to launch the first rocket in 2024 were delayed until an exhaustive slate of tests could be performed.[32]

On 21 February 2025, a static fire test of Spectrum was performed that reportedly confirmed that the rocket was ready.[32] One month later, a launch license was issued by the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA).[33] Shortly thereafter Isar Aerospace announced that they were in the process of assembling the second and third Spectrum.[32][34] The first launch attempt on 24 March 2025 was scrubbed due to high winds.[35]

On 30 March 2025 at 12:30 pm local time, the rocket was launched from Norway for the first time; however, it lost control several seconds later, causing it to fall into the sea and explode.[36] An investigation found that the rocket's vent valve had opened unexpectedly, leading to a loss of attitude control at the start of the roll maneuver.[37] The rocket did not carry a payload.[38]

A second launch on 5 September 2026 was successful, deploying several small satellites into a Sun-synchronous orbit.[19] The flight carried 5 academic cubesats and 1 undeployable payload to qualify Spectrum for future commercial satellite launches.[19]

Launch history

[edit]

Past launches

[edit]

2025

[edit]

2026

[edit]

Upcoming launches

[edit]

2026

[edit]

2027

[edit]

2028

[edit]

Statistics of the launcher

[edit]

Launch outcomes

[edit]
2
2025
2026
Total
  •   Loss before launch
  •   Loss during flight
  •   Partial failure
  •   Success (commercial and government)

Number of launches per site

[edit]
1
2
2025
2026
Total
  •   Andøya Spaceport
  •   Guiana Space Centre
  •   Nova Scotia Spaceport

Notes

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Either Andøya Spaceport or Spaceport Nova Scotia.

References

[edit]
  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Spectrum". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 25 September 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  2. ↑ "Was den Raketenstart von Isar Aerospace historisch macht". faz.net (in German). 6 September 2026. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  3. ↑ "Spectrum launches to orbit". esa.int. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  4. ↑ "Private German rocket makes history, reaches orbit from European soil". space.com. 5 September 2026. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  5. ↑ Terrence O'Brien (6 September 2026). "Europe has its first commercial orbital rocket". theverge.com. Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  6. ↑ "Isar Aerospace bringt erstmals Satelliten in den Orbit". pro-physik.de (in German). Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Welt der Physik (7 February 2008). "Erfolgreicher Jungfernflug der Mapheus" (in German). Retrieved 13 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Berger, Eric (21 September 2020). "A German rocket startup seeks to disrupt the European launch industry". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 23 April 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  9. ↑ "FT: Munich start-up Isar Aerospace starts production of Spectrum rocket". spacewatch.global. 8 September 2020. Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  10. ↑ "Isar Aerospace unveils progress on Aquila engine development". Isar Aerospace. 23 March 2023. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  11. ↑ "Spectrum on Andøya Spaceport launch pad". European Space Agency. 16 November 2023. Archived from the original on 22 February 2026. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  12. ↑ "Technology". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 31 March 2025. Retrieved 8 June 2026.
  13. ↑ "Launch site secured: Isar Aerospace signs exclusive launch pad in Norway for up to 20 years". Isar Aerospace. 14 April 2021. Archived from the original on 9 June 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  14. ↑ Geschwindt, Siôn (3 November 2023). "Europe's first continental spaceport opens in major boost for German startup". thenextweb.com. Archived from the original on 25 July 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  15. ↑ "Isar Aerospace selected to be first privately-funded launch services company flying satellites from Guiana Space Centre". Isar Aerospace. 21 July 2022. Archived from the original on 26 April 2026. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  16. ↑ Whalley, Sam Arne. "Isar Aerospace and the Spectrum Launch Vehicle – At the Forefront of Future European Launch Services". smallsateurope.com. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  17. 1 2 3 "Sovereign space access for Germany and Canada: Isar Aerospace and Maritime Launch Services sign contract to advance orbital launch capability from Spaceport Nova Scotia". Isar Aerospace. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  18. ↑ "Maritime Launch Services and Isar Aerospace Extend Deadline to Finalize Statement of Work and Programmatic Milestones". Maritime Launch Services. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  19. 1 2 3 Solsvik, Terje. "German space rocket reaches orbit in Europe's first commercial launch". Reuters. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  20. ↑ "Maritime Launch Services and Isar Aerospace Finalize Statement of Work, Advance to Execution". Maritime Launch Services. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  21. ↑ "Isar Aerospace signs Multiple Launch Service Agreement with US-based SEOPS for Five Additional Launches". Isar Aerospace. Retrieved 18 September 2026.
  22. ↑ Holmes, Mark (22 April 2021). "Isar Aerospace Signs Launch Deal with Airbus Defence and Space". ViaSatellite. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  23. ↑ "Airbus Commits To Using Isar's Spectrum Micro-Launcher". Aviation Week. 22 April 2021. Archived from the original on 19 June 2024. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  24. ↑ Jewett, Rachel (25 October 2021). "EnduroSat Signs Launch Contract With German Isar Aerospace". ViaSatellite. Archived from the original on 2 April 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  25. ↑ Holmes, Mark (15 December 2021). "Astrocast Taps Isar Aerospace for Upcoming Launch". ViaSatellite. Archived from the original on 23 July 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  26. 1 2 "Isar Aerospace announces payloads for Spectrum's first flight". spacewatch.global. 14 December 2021. Archived from the original on 21 February 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  27. ↑ Jewett, Rachel (26 January 2023). "Isar Aerospace Signs Rideshare Deal with Spaceflight, Works Toward First Flight". ViaSatellite. Archived from the original on 22 July 2025. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  28. ↑ Rainbow, Jason (25 January 2023). "Spaceflight books dedicated Isar Aerospace launch in 2026". spacenews.com.
  29. ↑ Berger, Eric (28 March 2023). "A front-runner emerges in the European small launcher race". Ars Technica. Archived from the original on 3 June 2023. Retrieved 5 April 2023.
  30. ↑ Taylor, Dan (28 March 2023). "Isar Aerospace closes €155 million round, ignition sequence start, all engine running". tech.eu. Archived from the original on 11 October 2025. Retrieved 27 January 2024.
  31. ↑ Duffy, Kate (2 November 2023). "German Startup to Launch Rockets From Norway in First for Europe". Bloomberg.
  32. 1 2 3 Foust, Jeff (21 February 2025). "Isar Aerospace completes testing of first Spectrum rocket". SpaceNews. Retrieved 22 February 2025.
  33. ↑ "Isar Aerospace receives NCAA Permit for launch and is ready for first test flight". Isar Aerospace. 17 March 2025. Archived from the original on 17 March 2025. Retrieved 17 March 2025.
  34. ↑ "Flight News!". Isar Aerospace. 21 March 2025. Archived from the original on 22 March 2025. Retrieved 22 March 2025.
  35. ↑ "Wegen Winds: Raketenstart von Isar Aerospace verschoben" [Due to wind: Isar Aerospace rocket launch postponed]. Pnp.de (in German). 24 March 2025. Archived from the original on 8 April 2025. Retrieved 20 October 2025.
  36. ↑ Jostad, Fredrik Ouren (30 March 2025). "Falt ned kort tid etter historisk oppskytning" [Fell down shortly after historic launch]. VG (in Norwegian). Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  37. ↑ "First Test Flight Updates". Isar Aerospace. 15 September 2025. Archived from the original on 30 March 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  38. ↑ Holmes, Oliver (30 March 2025). "First orbital rocket launched from mainland Europe crashes after takeoff". The Guardian. Retrieved 30 March 2025.
  39. ↑ Sharp, John (19 January 2026). "Launch Preview: Falcon 9 set to launch two missions from California, Isar to attempt second launch of Spectrum". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 20 January 2026. Retrieved 20 January 2026.
  40. ↑ "Mission Updates". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 3 February 2026. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
  41. ↑ Davenport, Justin (5 September 2026). "Isar Aerospace launches Spectrum rocket after months of delays". NASASpaceFlight.com. Archived from the original on 6 September 2026. Retrieved 5 September 2026.
  42. ↑ "GreenBox Satellites by R-Space". R-Space (in Austrian German). Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  43. 1 2 "R-Space presents its first satellite fully developed, built, and operated in Austria". Austria in Space. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  44. ↑ "AT-Astra | Spectrum | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  45. ↑ "Planet Pelican | Spectrum | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  46. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (2 July 2026). "Isar Aerospace to Launch Satellite for Planet Germany". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  47. ↑ "Planet and Isar Aerospace Partner to Launch First German-Built Satellite-Rocket Mission". Isar Aerospace. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  48. ↑ "Redwire Successfully Completes Payload Integration for Upcoming European Technology Demonstration Mission". Redwire. 6 January 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  49. 1 2 "Cassini: ISISPACE 6UXL Satellites". 30 January 2025. Archived from the original on 12 April 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  50. ↑ "ESA selects ISISPACE Group's IOD/IOV service for Horizon Europe CASSINI project – ISISPACE". Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  51. ↑ "Projects "AOBA"". ElevationSpace. Retrieved 23 August 2026.
  52. ↑ "ADRAS-J2 | Spectrum | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  53. ↑ "Astroscale Selects Isar Aerospace To Launch Japanese Debris Mission | Aviation Week". aviationweek.com. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  54. ↑ "Isar Aerospace secures launch agreements with ESA". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 16 February 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  55. ↑ "Tom & Jerry | Spectrum | Next Spaceflight". nextspaceflight.com. Retrieved 11 September 2026.
  56. ↑ "Flight Ticket Initiative: first five missions secured with Avio and Isar Aerospace". www.esa.int. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  57. ↑ "Flight Ticket Initiative: first five missions secured with Avio and Isar Aerospace". www.esa.int. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  58. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (12 March 2025). "Isar to Launch Norwegian Maritime Surveillance Satellites". European Spaceflight. Archived from the original on 17 April 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  59. ↑ "Norwegian Space Agency and Isar Aerospace sign contract for satellite launch from Andøya Spaceport". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  60. ↑ "Isar Aerospace signs launch agreement with U.S.-based SEOPS for dedicated mission". Isar Aerospace. Archived from the original on 10 March 2026. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  61. ↑ Foust, Jeff (13 March 2026). "Astroscale selects Isar Aerospace to launch ELSA-M mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved 16 March 2026.
  62. ↑ Parsonson, Andrew (13 March 2026). "Isar Aerospace to Launch Astroscale ELSA-M Orbital Debris Removal Mission". European Spaceflight. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  63. ↑ "ELSA-M Mission | Commercial Satellite EOL by Astroscale". Astroscale. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  64. ↑ "Sustainable connectivity in space". www.esa.int. Retrieved 7 September 2026.
  65. 1 2 3 4 5 "Isar Aerospace signs Multiple Launch Service Agreement with US-based SEOPS for Five Additional Launches". Isar Aerospace. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  66. 1 2 3 4 5 "German rocket maker Isar Aerospace plans to more than double capacity in 2028". Reuters. 15 September 2026. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
  67. 1 2 3 4 5 Gorman, Douglas (16 September 2026). "SEOPS Books Five Launches on Isar's Spectrum Rocket". Payload. Retrieved 16 September 2026.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Spectrum_(rocket)&oldid=1375581154"