First Spectrum Rocket Launch Scrubbed
Unfavorable Weather Conditions at Launch Site Forced Cancellation
The first test flight of the Spectrum orbital launch vehicle was scrubbed due to unfavorable winds on Friday. The vehicle and range remain healthy, and the team is working to determine a new launch window together with Andøya Spaceport. Isar Aerospace will announce the new launch window when available.
"In the next days, Isar Aerospace will lay the foundations to regain much needed independent and competitive access to space from Europe.”
Daniel Metzler, Isar Aerospace
The launch was planned after the Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) granted a launch permit to Isar Aerospace on March 14. When it does launch, the "Going Full Spectrum" mission will be the first flight of an orbital launch vehicle from continental Europe. The first test flight will not include any customer payloads.
“We are approaching the most important moment of our journey so far, and I would like to thank all our team, partners, customers and investors who have been accompanying and trusting us.” says Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace. “In today's geopolitical climate, our first test flight is about much more than a rocket launch: Space is one of the most critical platforms for our security, resilience and technological advancement. In the next days, Isar Aerospace will lay the foundations to regain much needed independent and competitive access to space from Europe.”
“Our goal is to test each and every component and system of the launch vehicle”, said Alexandre Dalloneau, VP of Mission and Launch Operations at Isar Aerospace. “No matter how far we come with this test flight, Mission ‘Going Full Spectrum’ will be a reason for our entire team to be very proud, a success for Isar Aerospace and our close partner Andøya Spaceport, and a huge step forward for European access to space.”
The test results will feed into the iterations and development of future Spectrum vehicles, which are being built and tested in parallel.