Overview
- Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum countdown in Norway, which reached the automatic sequence Wednesday night, was halted seconds before ignition after a fishing boat entered the safety zone.
- Isar said a restart would have exceeded the 15‑minute window and it is now working with Andøya Space to secure a new launch slot, as range rules require a clear corridor to protect vessels from exhaust and debris.
- The Onward and Upward test was set to carry five CubeSats and a science experiment on the 28‑meter microlauncher, which is designed to lift about one tonne to low Earth orbit.
- Skipper Olafur Einarsson told local media he did not intend sabotage and blamed currents and tangled gear for his boat remaining in the zone, reflecting tensions with local fishermen who work the area.
- The company says a third Spectrum is nearly finished and orders run through 2028, signaling continued demand as Europe seeks more homegrown rides to orbit after a first Spectrum flight in March 2025 failed about 30 seconds after liftoff.