German rocket startup Isar wins another launch contract
Spectrum falling seconds after its launch
in March 2025
Even though it has now spent six months repeatedly scrubbing the second launch attempt of its Spectrum rocket (the first was a failure), the German rocket startup Isar yesterday announced it has won another launch contract, this time from the German subsidiary of satellite imaging company Planet.
Under the agreement, Isar Aerospace will launch one of Planet’s next-generation high-resolution Pelican satellites, with additional satellites planned for future launches. The Pelican is scheduled to fly on Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum launch vehicle, currently scheduled as early as late 2026 from Isar Aerospace’s dedicated launch complex at Andøya Space. The Pelican will be assembled in Planet’s upcoming Berlin manufacturing facility. With both satellite and rocket being built in Germany, this launch will be a national first for the country, demonstrating rapid advancements in the nation’s sovereign space capabilities.
Isar already has contracts with the satellite repair companies Astroscale and D-Orbit, the satellite aggregators Exolaunch and SEOPS, the European Space Agency, and Norway.
As for the rocket itself, the launch is now tentatively scheduled for sometime in July. The company first attempted a launch in January, then in March, then in June. All were scrubbed due to technical issues.
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