Isar Aerospace successfully launched its two-stage Spectrum rocket from Norway, marking the first fully commercial orbital launch in Europe. The company, founded in 2018, raised $1 billion in private funding and employs nearly 500 people.
Stoke Space secured $1 billion in new funding to accelerate the development of its medium-lift Block 2 Nova rocket. The vehicle is designed to carry 15 metric tons to orbit and is expected to debut in 2029.
Arianespace and Amazon Leo agreed on six additional Ariane 64 launches, bringing the total to 24 missions through 2031. Additionally, The Exploration Company raised $450 million in Series C funding to develop its Nyx capsule and the Storm rocket engine.
The UK government is providing £30 million to support the SaxaVord Spaceport in Shetland, which will host launches from Rocket Factory Augsburg. Meanwhile, Firefly Aerospace signed a multi-launch deal with SSC Space for missions from Sweden starting in 2028.
Avio aims to increase the flight rate of its Vega-C rocket to six missions per year, with a potential future target of nine. Relativity Space also received a NASA Launch Services II contract, allowing its Terran R rocket to compete for future agency missions.
