German Startup Isar’s Rocket Lifts Off on European Space Mission

An Isar Aerospace rocket lifted off from a launchpad in Norway as the German startup seeks to pull off the first commercial space mission to reach orbit from continental Europe.

Isar’s Spectrum rocket, carrying a payload that includes five small satellites, lifted off from the Andøya Spaceport in Norway on Saturday and reached orbit after about four minutes. It was Isar’s second launch attempt after multiple delays this year due to weather, technical issues and disruption by a rogue boat.

With a height of 28 meters (92 feet) and the ability to deliver 1,000 kilograms (2,200 pounds) to low Earth orbit, Spectrum is much smaller than rockets from Elon Musk’s SpaceX, the industry leader that held the biggest initial public offering ever in June.

The size should help Isar place satellites in specific orbits and differentiate it from Musk’s firm, Chief Executive Officer Daniel Metzler said when his company closed a €270 million ($313 million) funding round this year.

The first Spectrum launch attempt last year lasted about 30 seconds before ending in a crash.

Read More: German Rocket Startup Isar Closes €270 Million Funding Round

Isar is among companies seeking to benefit from increased government spending for European space capacities. In August, it signed a roughly €200 million contract with the European Space Agency to help fund development of launch vehicles.

Previously focused on rockets for civilian use, Isar has shifted over the past year to defense customers, who now represent about 60% of orders, according to the company. The war in Ukraine and a growing push for strategic sovereignty as relations with the US fray have fueled a sense of urgency in Europe to develop space capabilities.

Isar is building a factory near Munich and is targeting an output of as many as 40 rockets per year. The company has booked space on its rockets through 2028, including missions for ESA and the Norwegian Space Agency.