European Spaceflight

Isar Aerospace to Expand Testing Facilities as It Prepares for Next Spectrum Flight

Isar Aerospace announced a purpose‑built acceptance test facility at Sweden’s Esrange Space Center, boosting its capacity to test over 30 Aquila engines per month and conduct full stage acceptance tests. The expansion comes as the company readies the second flight of its 28‑metre Spectrum rocket, now slated for no earlier than 19 March after a pressurisation valve issue delayed the January launch. Isar also nears completion of a 40,000‑square‑metre manufacturing plant near Munich, designed to output more than 30 rockets annually. To date, the firm has raised over €550 million, including a €150 million convertible bond.