Isar Aerospace to launch EU's ΣYNDEO-3 tech demo satellite in late 2026

Isar Aerospace has secured a contract to launch a European technology demonstration satellite in late 2026. The mission, named ΣYNDEO-3, will fly aboard the company’s Spectrum rocket as part of the EU’s In-Orbit Demonstration and In-Orbit Validation (IOD/IOV) Program. The satellite will carry payloads from five European countries and the European Commission. The ΣYNDEO-3 spacecraft is being built by Redwire Space’s European division. It uses the Hammerhead satellite bus, which weighs 175 kilograms and can support up to 120 kilograms of payloads. The mission will host 10 different experiments from across Europe.

Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket is designed to lift up to one metric ton into orbit. However, the ΣYNDEO-3 launch will not be dedicated, meaning the company can include additional payloads on the same flight. This follows Isar’s first orbital attempt in March, which ended in a malfunction just seconds after liftoff. The European Space Agency’s IOD/IOV program manager has expressed confidence in Isar’s ability to deliver a safe and reliable launch. The mission is currently scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026, with the company targeting a second Spectrum launch before then.

The ΣYNDEO-3 satellite will demonstrate new technologies under the EU’s IOD/IOV initiative. Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket, despite its earlier setback, remains on track for future missions. The contract marks a key step in expanding Europe’s in-orbit testing capabilities.