🇸🇪 Isar Aerospace opens second test site at Esrange Space Center

European space company Isar Aerospace is significantly expanding their testing operations with SSC Space at Esrange Space Center in Sweden, opening a second test site to support the development and production of its ‘Spectrum’ rocket. The new facility will enable testing of 30+ engines per month, along with expanded integrated stage testing capabilities, increasing testing capacity and enabling faster development.

The purpose-built acceptance test facility will enable fully integrated stage acceptance testing, providing Isar Aerospace with greater flexibility and capability to meet growing market demand for launch services. The test sites are fully tailored to Isar Aerospace’s own requirements, supporting the company’s approach of vertically integrating launch vehicle development across design, manufacturing, testing, and operations.

“Scaling reliable access to space requires not only advanced launch vehicle design but also the right infrastructure to support rapid development and production. With our second test facility at Esrange, we are unlocking new capabilities and accelerating our progress. The expanded site will allow us to test and qualify more engines and stages than ever before, supporting our ambition to make space access truly scalable. I would also like to thank the team at SSC Space for their professional partnership and collaboration,” said Can Araz, vice president Spectrum at Isar Aerospace.

“We are proud to deepen our long-standing partnership with Isar Aerospace as they expand their engine and stage testing capabilities at Esrange. This new facility strengthens Europe’s path toward scalable and reliable access to space, and it reflects the trust placed in our team’s experience in advanced rocket testing. Together, we are building the infrastructure that will enable a new generation of launch services and support the growing needs of the European space market,” said Mats Tyni, director business development and customer operations, at SSC Space.

Originally published on 4 February 2026 by SSC Space.