The Norwegian Space Agency has signed a contract with the European satellite launch service company Isar Aerospace to launch its Arctic Ocean Surveillance (AOS) program satellites. Isar Aerospace’s launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ will transport two satellites to sun synchronous orbit (SSO) from the company’s dedicated launch complex at Andøya Spaceport launch site in Norway.
The launch is scheduled until 2028 and will take place from Andøya Spaceport, Europe's first operational spaceport on the mainland. The agreement between the Norwegian Space Agency and Isar Aerospace involves launching two Norwegian satellites as part of the AOS program, a national maritime surveillance system.
“The launch of the AOS satellites from Andøya Spaceport will be a true milestone for Norwegian space activities. We look forward to a robust partnership with Isar Aerospace and seeing ‘Spectrum’ in action,” says Christian Hauglie-Hanssen, Director General of the Norwegian Space Agency.
“We are committed to enable independent access to space from Andøya Spaceport, strengthening national and European security and resilience by providing cost-effective and reliable orbital launch services”, says Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of Isar Aerospace.
Isar Aerospace is currently preparing for its first test flight from Norway. Having successfully completed static firings of both stages of its launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’, the first test flight will take place from Andøya Spaceport in Norway as soon as possible following Norwegian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) approval and licensing. The first flight of Isar Aerospace’s ‘Spectrum’ will be the first integrated test of tens of thousands of components and aims to generate data and experience that the company can apply to future missions.
Commenting on the company's upcoming first test flight, Daniel Metzler says: “Our team is in the starting blocks, and we are almost ready for the test flight.” Andøya Spaceport, Norway's first orbital launch site, was established to facilitate commercial satellite launches. The spaceport construction started in 2021, and it was officially opened in 2023. “Currently, there is a significant shortage of launch capabilities and launch sites”, Christian Hauglie-Hanssen says. “Andøya Spaceport and Isar Aerospace will provide critical launch capacity for the satellite market.”
Ingun Berget, President at Andøya Spaceport states that: “Andøya Spaceport is proud to be the launch site chosen for the AOS satellites. This emphasizes the strategic importance of Norway getting an operational spaceport, in particular for Norwegian governmental launches. In partnership with our first customer Isar Aerospace, we are ready to show the excellence of Andøya Spaceport as a service provider for enabling safe and efficient launch from European soil.”
The two satellites set for launch with Isar Aerospace’s launch vehicle ‘Spectrum’ are AOS-Demo, developed by EIDEL to test innovative maritime monitoring technology, and AOS-Precursor, the first operational satellite of the system, developed by Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace.
“For the first time, Norwegian industry is delivering satellites designed and built in Norway under a government contract from a Norwegian launch site. Our partnership with the European launch service provider Isar Aerospace strengthens both the nation’s expertise and capabilities while positioning Andøya Spaceport as a strategic launch site for Europe,” Christian Hauglie-Hanssen concludes.
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