The launch is a key step in Europe’s goal to compete with US-based organisations for commercial space missions.
A rocket developed and controlled by German start-up Isar Aerospace has made history by becoming the first commercial launch to reach orbit from continental Europe.
As part of the ‘Onward and Upward’ mission, the uncrewed Spectrum rocket lifted off from Isar Aerospace’s launch complex at Andøya Space in Norway carrying a payload of satellites and reached orbit in around four minutes.
The achievement marks a major step in Europe’s ambitions to rival US counterparts for commercial space missions.
This was Isar’s second launch attempt, as there had previously been a range of factors causing delays, such as weather conditions, technical difficulties and disruption by a rogue boat. The first attempt saw the rocket launch for only 30 seconds before experiencing a crash.
Commenting after the successful launch, Daniel Metzler, the CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace, said: “Today, Isar Aerospace opened space from continental Europe. Launch continues to be the largest bottleneck for the global space industry and from today on, there is a true alternative for commercial and institutional customers.”
He added: “We achieved within a few years what had taken the European space industry decades before. Europe now has sovereign access to space. We have entered into a new chapter for European spaceflight.
“I am incredibly proud of our team, that has made this success story from Europe possible. We will now focus on rapidly scaling launch vehicle production, deliver on our order pipeline, and meet surging global demand.”
According to a statement released by Isar Aerospace, the company’s model is designed to build scalable launch capabilities. There is also a keen focus on building the “machine behind the machine”, which includes a vertically integrated manufacturing model and a high degree of automation in production.
And with the opening of a new 40,000 sq m production facility near Munich, Isar Aerospace will eventually have the capacity to manufacture up to 40 launch vehicles per year.
“All launches are special, but what Isar Aerospace achieved today is historic, the first European company to reach orbit with their own launch vehicle” said Géraldine Naja, ESA’s director of space transportation.
“A huge congratulation to the teams involved, who with this launch also complete the first milestone of ESA’s European Launcher Challenge, looking forward to seeing many more European launches, including from Andøya Spaceport in Norway in the near future.”
In July, Isar Aerospace was included in new data from Crunchbase that explored how organisations fared financially in Q2 of 2026, with European start-ups reporting the strongest quarter in four years for venture funding. Isar made the list for its successful late-stage funding efforts.
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