WASHINGTON \u2014 Isar Aerospace won a contract from Planet\u2019s German subsidiary to launch an imaging satellite, demonstrating an end-to-end space capability for the country.<\/p>\n
Isar Aerospace announced July 2 it signed a contract with Planet Labs Germany for the launch of a Pelican high-resolution imaging satellite on a Spectrum rocket. The launch will take place in the next year, perhaps as soon as late 2026, from And\u00f8ya Spaceport in Norway.<\/p>\n
The companies said the contract, which includes options for additional launches, is intended to demonstrate the ability of German companies to build and launch spacecraft, part of a broader push in Germany and Europe to build up sovereign space capabilities. Isar builds its rockets at its Munich headquarters, while Planet is establishing a Pelican production line in Berlin.<\/p>\n
\u201cGermany has set out an ambitious space agenda. Planet and Isar Aerospace are responding to the moment and delivering a first for the country: both satellite and rocket built in Germany,\u201d Martin Polak, managing director of Planet Labs Germany, said in a statement announcing the deal.<\/p>\n
The German government announced last September its intent to spend 35 billion euros ($40 billion) on military space over the next five years<\/a>. Since then, companies in Germany and beyond have been working to demonstrate their capabilities.<\/p>\n Polak said that the plan to launch a Pelican in the next year is intended to showcase \u201cour agile aerospace approach and supporting rapidly evolving national priorities across security, resilience and civil applications.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cThis collaboration underscores the strength and growing strategic importance of the German and European space ecosystem,\u201d said Stella Guillen, chief commercial officer of Isar Aerospace, in a statement. \u201cEurope now has an unparalleled opportunity to leverage this ecosystem to build resilient space capabilities and unlock its potential for security and economic growth.\u201d<\/p>\n The contract announcement did not provide an update on the status of Spectrum itself. Isar Aerospace had planned to conduct the second flight of that small launch vehicle in January, after the first flight failed shortly after liftoff in March 2025. However, technical issues, as well as a range violation that scrubbed a launch attempt in March, repeatedly delayed the flight.<\/p>\n