First test flight from Andøya Spaceport conducted 

On Sunday March 30th, 2025, at 12.30, Isar Aerospace’s launch vehicle Spectrum, lifted off from Andøya Spaceport. The test flight marks an important milestone in European space history.  

After approximately 30 seconds into the flight, the test flight had to be terminated by Andøya Spaceport in accordance with safety procedures. The launch vehicle fell into the ocean, within the safety zones. 

Andøya Spaceport was able to test and validate their full-scale concept of operations.  

– All of our systems and procedures were tested and operated by our personnel. During operations our highest priority is always safety, and during this test we were able to validate that this works. The establishment of Andøya Spaceport has been a long and exciting journey for many. We have an incredibly skilled team here at Andøya Spaceport and Andøya Space that has been working on building the spaceport for several years, and I am proud off all the effort they have put in, states Ingrid Hanssen, acting president of Andøya Spaceport.  

– I want to applaud our customer, Isar Aerospace, for how far they have come, says Andøya Space CEO Ketil Olsen. – They were founded in 2018, and now, just seven years later, they have completed the first full-scale test of a brand-new, all-European launch vehicle. That is an achievement worthy of respect. We have made history today. It is the first time an orbital class rocket has lifted off from European soil. I am proud of the team here at Andøya Space and Andøya Spaceport that has worked tirelessly for this over a long period. 

Andøya Spaceport is well underway with planning of the next phase of expansion with additional launch pads. 

– As Europe’s new launch facility for small satellites, Andøya Spaceport is uniquely positioned to offer access to high inclination, polar and sun-synchronous orbits, explains Hanssen. – Our northern vantage point, free from significant air and maritime traffic, provides optimal conditions for safe and efficient launch operations over the vast oceans of the north. We continue our work with the next phase of expansion to support our full operational capability which includes launch pads for several different launchers and facilities for assembly, integration and testing.