German startup Isar Aerospace launched its first rocket into orbit on Saturday from Arctic Norway also marking Europe's first commercial flight to reach space from its own soil.
The uncrewed Spectrum rocket lifted off from Andoeya Spaceport, carrying five small satellites and one technology experiment. "We're in orbit! And just made European history" Isar announced on X.
Norway's minister of industry and commerce, Cecilie Myrseth and called it a breakthrough for European access to space. "The fact that we can now launch satellites from Andoeya strengthens Norwegian and European security in the turbulent times we live in" she said.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz visited Isar's launch site in March, highlighting Europe's push for greater independence in space as global power shifts under U.S. President Donald Trump.
This was Isar's second launch attempt. The first was in March 2025 ended when the rocket crashed into the sea and exploded shortly after takeoff. No one was hurt, and the company said the failed launch still provided valuable data.
Saturday's mission served as both a qualification test and the rocket's first payload delivery the Bavarian company said.
Isar joins a competitive global launch market that includes Elon Musk's SpaceX, which operates from the U.S. and recently listed on Nasdaq in a record IPO, and France's ArianeGroup which launches from French Guiana. Sweden's Esrange and Britain's SaxaVord Spaceport are also vying for a share of Europe's growing space industry.
Last week the Isar secured about €200 million ($232 million) from the European Space Agency to fund new rocket development and expand its infrastructure. The company is also building a second launch site in Canada.
