Lithuanian politician and European Commissioner for Defence and Space
Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket has reached orbit on its second test flight, marking Europe’s first fully commercial launch vehicle to do so. The mission demonstrates industrial-scale production and signals Europe’s move toward independent access to space, with Isar planning to ramp up launches and expand its sites.
Europe’s private space sector is scaling up amid a surge in funding and launches. Amazon’s Leo order and new European entrants highlight momentum, but political divisions and the push for sovereign capability complicate the path to a robust, independent European launch capability.