On March 30, 2025, at approximately 12:30 p.m. Central European Summer Time, Isar Aerospace, a private German company based in Munich, launched its Spectrum rocket from Andøya Space Center, a commercial orbital spaceport located above the Arctic Circle on the remote Norwegian island of Andøya. The launch, designated the “Going Full Spectrum” mission, marked the first attempt to send an orbital-class rocket into space from a site within continental Europe, excluding Russian territory—a development of major symbolic and strategic significance.
The Spectrum rocket is a two-stage launch vehicle standing 28 meters (92 feet) tall and 2 meters wide, powered by ten Aquila engines—nine on the first stage and one vacuum-optimized on the second—burning a combination of liquid oxygen and propane. Designed to carry up to 1,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit and 700 kilograms to sun-synchronous orbit, Spectrum represents a critical step in Europe’s effort to reduce dependence on non-European launch systems.
After several weather-related delays throughout March, the rocket lifted off cleanly and climbed for approximately 30 seconds before veering off course and crashing into the Norwegian Sea. According to Isar Aerospace CEO Daniel Metzler, the mission succeeded in its primary goals: achieving ignition, a clean liftoff, partial ascent, and validation of the Flight Termination System, which was activated successfully to destroy the rocket when it deviated from its trajectory. No injuries occurred, and the launchpad was undamaged.
Though the vehicle failed to reach orbit, the mission is seen within the aerospace industry as an essential part of the iterative process in developing reliable launch systems. All flight data—from propulsion dynamics to telemetry—will be used to improve future missions. Isar Aerospace, founded in 2018, is part of a growing cluster of European firms aiming to meet the rising demand for small-satellite launches across commercial, scientific, and governmental sectors.
The launch also affirms the strategic role of Andøya Space Center, long used for suborbital sounding rockets, but now reconfigured for orbital launches. With backing from the Norwegian government and the European Space Agency (ESA), the site offers access to polar and sun-synchronous orbits critical for Earth observation. It is part of a larger European initiative that includes Sweden’s Esrange, the UK’s SaxaVord and Sutherland sites, and Portugal’s Azores plans—all intended to secure sovereign European access to space.
Isar Aerospace holds a 20-year exclusive lease for a launchpad at Andøya, with plans for up to 15 annual launches. It also intends to launch from the Guiana Space Centre and is building a high-capacity rocket factory in Munich capable of producing up to 40 vehicles per year in the long term. In June 2024, the company raised €220 million in Series C funding—bringing its valuation to approximately $1 billion—with major contributions from NATO’s Innovation Fund, reflecting its strategic value for European security and technological autonomy.
ESA Director General Josef Aschbacher praised the flight as a meaningful achievement, emphasizing that clearing the pad and collecting flight data are foundational milestones. The incident triggered Andøya’s crisis protocols, and the center confirmed cooperation with emergency services and regulatory authorities. No environmental damage was reported, and investigations will further assess telemetry and debris.
Despite the flight’s premature end, the launch signaled a crucial moment in Europe’s commercial spaceflight ambitions. It demonstrated Isar’s technological readiness, the functionality of Andøya as a launch site, and the viability of a European-based small-satellite launcher. More than a failed mission, the flight marked a milestone in Europe’s attempt to secure independent, sovereign access to orbit in an increasingly competitive and geopolitically sensitive space environment.
Gros News 
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