Satellite operator Astroscale has secured two launch contracts with the German company Isar Aerospace. The agreements involve using the Spectrum rocket for upcoming missions, specifically for the ELSA-M and ADRAS-J2 projects. These contracts were signed before Isar successfully reached orbit with its rocket from a spaceport in Norway.
Astroscale requires dedicated launch services to reach specific orbits for its satellite servicing and debris removal operations. The company's payloads, weighing between 500 and 700 kilograms, exceed the capacity of the Rocket Lab Electron vehicle used for previous missions. Astroscale executives noted a limited availability of reliable launch providers in the 1-ton class.
The ELSA-M mission aims to demonstrate end-of-life servicing by capturing and deorbiting a satellite from the Eutelsat OneWeb constellation. The ADRAS-J2 mission, partially funded by the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, will attempt to remove a defunct Japanese rocket body from orbit, building on data gathered during the 2024 ADRAS-J demonstration mission.
Isar Aerospace recently achieved its first successful orbit with the Spectrum rocket after a failed test flight last year. The company's launch backlog includes missions backed by the European Space Agency, the European Union, and the governments of Norway and Germany. Other European startups like Rocket Factory Augsburg and PLD Space are also developing launch capabilities.
