Launch test at Andøya: "We are underway"
"Despite the short journey of the Spectrum rocket, this marks the beginning of a new era in Norwegian and European spaceflight," says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen of the Norwegian Space Agency.
Christer Aasen
March 30, 2025
At 12:30 PM on Sunday, the rocket from the German company Isar Aerospace launched from Andøya Spaceport. About 30 seconds later, the operations management decided to terminate the flight. The rocket then fell into the sea and exploded.
A success
Isar Aerospace considers the launch a significant success. The company has now gathered valuable data that will be used to improve the rocket before the next launch.
"Our first test flight met all our expectations and was a great success. We had a clean lift-off, 30 seconds in the air, and even got to test our termination system," says Isar CEO Daniel Metzler.
“We are now underway. Even though perfect test launches are always preferable, they are very rare in reality. Isar Aerospace and Andøya Spaceport will benefit from this test and come back even stronger next time,” says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency.
Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency.
Credit: NOSA
He believes this has been an important day for both Norwegian and European space activity, and something that will eventually have positive ripple effects for all of Europe. The launch has received significant international attention.
This is the first time a launch vehicle has been launched from the European mainland.
A commercial initiative
The test launch marks the beginning of a Norwegian commercial initiative in launch services for small satellites. It is also the beginning of a time when Norway and European partners will be less dependent on the major space nations.
“Norway must ensure that Andøya Spaceport has the best possible conditions to compete within the European market,” says Hauglie-Hanssen.
Other European countries, such as the United Kingdom, Sweden, and Portugal, are working to develop their own launch services to compete with Norway. Although Norway is currently ahead of its competitors, developments are moving quickly.
“Andøya Spaceport must continue to develop the expertise and environment necessary to become a key contributor in a rapidly evolving market,” says Hauglie-Hanssen. The commercialization of European launch services will be central to securing European competitiveness in the space domain.
Security
An operational spaceport at Andøya will also have security policy implications. The services offered by Andøya Spaceport will be an important part of our own ability to deploy satellites for civil and military monitoring of our land and sea areas.
Already by 2028, Isar Aerospace will launch the two Norwegian satellites in the Arctic surveillance system AOS. It is also important for European space programs to have alternative launch options for small satellites, says Hauglie-Hanssen.