European Sovereignty Monitor

Defence and space

Isar Aerospace signs launch contract with Astroscale Japan for debris removal

Munich based Isar Aerospace signed a launch service agreement with Astroscale Japan to fly the ADRAS-J2 debris removal mission, targeting a defunct H-IIA rocket stage, on its Spectrum rocket from Andoya, Norway, in 2027 to 2028; no contract value disclosed.

Verified Isar Aerospace press release, 1 September 2026

What it does not test. This does not demonstrate Spectrum's orbital launch capability, since the vehicle has not yet reached orbit.

How this item counts. No movement: no answer to who owns, who operates, whose law governs or who made the parts changes. Weight 0. Launch contract signed but no European ownership/operate/law/parts answer changes. European Sovereignty Index

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