Europe’s Andøya Spaceport Is Operational, Ready for Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum Rocket’s First Test Flight

Europe is making a milestone by opening its first continental spaceport. Norway's Andøya Spaceport is finally operational after it opened last week.

Norway's Andøya Spaceport

H.R.H Crown Prince Haakon opened the first spaceport in Europe in an official ceremony on Nov. 2. The spaceport is a part of Andøya Space. It is located in Nordmela, on the island of Andøya in Norway.

The European launch service provider Isar Aerospace will use it as its launchpad. Thus, Andøya Spaceport's opening represents a significant turning point in Isar Aerospace's development toward the launchpad.

"The opening of the spaceport on Andøya island marks an important milestone for Norway, European New Space industry, and our partnership with Isar Aerospace," President of Andøya Spaceport, Ingun Berget, said in the statement. "This enables us to have the first satellite launches ever from European soil to take place from Andøya."

The spaceport will serve as the launchpad for Spectrum, the company's two-stage launch vehicle, during its first test flight. When Andøya Spaceport is fully constructed, it will include many launchpads for small- to medium-sized satellite launches. However, the first launchpad, together with its mission control center and payload assembly facilities, is reserved for Isar Aerospace and is built to their requirements.

Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace, echoed Berget's take on celebrating the recent milestone. According to him, it's a significant step towards space taken by Norway, the Andøya region, and Isar Aerospace. According to him, they spent the last five years constructing a rocket that can help solve critical issues in the European space industry.

Isar Aerospace and Andøya Spaceport have developed a superb engineering feat - the first orbital launch facility in continental Europe - enabling Norway to access space and return to Europe. This phase represents Isar Aerospace reaching the last stretch of its route to its first flight. For Europe, it entails having the power to control the space platform.

Isar Aerospace's Spectrum Rocket

Spectrum is a high-performance two-stage orbital launch vehicle. It is specifically designed for small and medium satellites. It is flexible and offers low risk as the people behind it adhered to the highest quality standards when they built it.

The rocket is 28 meters long and has a diameter of 2 meters. It has a payload capability of 1,000 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) and 700 kilograms to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO). All space systems can have flexible access to space thanks to its multi-ignition second-stage engine.

It has nine engines for the first stage and one for the second stage. The Aquila engine, designed entirely in-house, offers the best performance.

U.S.-based launched services provider Spaceflight is among Isar's first customers. Spaceflight booked a dedicated launch in 2026. Spaceflight CEO Curt Blake said there is an increased demand for flexible and affordable launch options worldwide, including in their European-based custom

The lift-off is expected in Isar's launchpad in Andøya, Norway, to sun-ers—synchronous orbit (SSO). Isar chief commercial officer Stella Guillen said they could also use the launchpad they are developing at the Guiana Space Center near Kourou, French Guiana.

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