German Rocket Prepares for Third Flight from Norway

Space Science & Technology | 11th November 2026

German launch company Isar Aerospace could attempt the third flight of its Spectrum rocket from Norway on 26 November, following the vehicle's successful orbital mission in September.

An aviation notice issued by Norwegian air navigation services provider Avinor establishes a launch window from 26 November 2026 to 17 February 2027. Launch opportunities are available between 20:00 and 21:30 UTC, although Isar Aerospace has not announced a confirmed launch date.

The two-stage Spectrum rocket is being developed to provide European satellite operators with an independent commercial launch service.

Its first test flight, launched from Andøya Spaceport in March 2025, ended less than a minute after liftoff. A second flight on 5 September 2026 successfully reached orbit, marking an important milestone for Europe's commercial launch industry.

Following that mission, Isar Aerospace confirmed that its third through seventh Spectrum rockets were already in production.

Chief executive Daniel Metzler said the third vehicle was undergoing final assembly before acceptance testing and shipment to Norway.

The company has not yet published a complete payload manifest. However, Austrian satellite manufacturer R-Space has confirmed that its AT-Astra spacecraft is expected to fly aboard the mission.

The satellite will carry technology demonstrations involving companies from Austria and Portugal, supporting the development of Europe's growing space industry.

A successful third launch would provide further evidence of Spectrum's reliability and strengthen Europe's efforts to establish independent access to orbit.