InternationalLaunch

Isar gets Green Light to Launch from French Guiana

Isar Aerospace has secured the right to launch from the the Guiana Space Centre in French Guiana.
Credit: Isar Aerospace

Isar Aerospace is the first privately-funded operator to gain access to the Guiana Space Centre (GSC) in French Guiana. French space agency CNES announced the news on Thursday. 

GSC has been in operation since 1968 and has supported hundreds of missions. CNES responded to several requests from industry to open the site to privately-funded operators by publishing an open call for applications in December 2021.

Isar will operate its 28m, two-stage Spectrum rocket from the facility from 2024 onwards. The maiden flight of Spectrum will still take place from Norway’s Andøya Space next year. 

“With adding Kourou, we will further extend our global network of critical infrastructure and gain even more flexibility for our customers,” said Isar COO Josef Fleischmann.

Ready for launch

Isar has a growing launch manifest, with more than five contracts already signed. Most recently, the company inked a launch services deal with D-Orbit to ferry an ION tug to space. 

CNES’ decision to open its equatorial spaceport to the startup is the latest vote of confidence in its potential to reach orbit.

Related Stories
Launch

Delta IV Heavy Bids Farewell

ULA’s Delta IV Heavy rocket is preparing to hang up its engines after two decades of spaceflight.

InternationalPolarisPolicy

US, French Space Industry Meeting in DC This Week

The US is hosting the second US-France Comprehensive Space Dialogue this Wednesday, and most of the American space heavy hitters will be attending. 

BusinessInternational

Slingshot Opens First Overseas Office in the UK

The space situational awareness (SSA) firm Slingshot Aerospace is opening two offices in the UK in its first expansion outside America’s borders.

InternationalStartups

Ukrainian Startup Raises Funding For In-Space Servicing Demo

Ukrainian start-up Kurs Orbital has raised €3.7M($4M) to build and fly a prototype docking port for in-space servicing and debris removal missions.