ELSA-M

The Spectrum launch vehicle, provided by Isar Aerospace, is set to launch the ELSA-M mission from Andøya Spaceport on December 31, 2028 at 12:00 AM UTC. Isar Aerospace's Spectrum will carry the ELSA-M payload into a Polar Orbit. The ELSA-M mission is a technology demonstration, and the launch from Andøya Spaceport will be conducted by Isar Aerospace. The mission is supported by the UK Space Agency, ESA, and the commercial satellite operator Eutelsat through the Sunrise Partnership Project. The Spectrum launch vehicle will deliver the payload to its intended orbit, marking a key event for Isar Aerospace.

Carrying the ELSA-M payload, the Spectrum launch vehicle will enable Astroscale to demonstrate its commercial satellite service designed to remove inactive satellites from orbit. The ELSA-M payload will safely approach and dock with a Eutelsat OneWeb communications satellite at its end of life, then remove it from orbit, showcasing the technologies and operational capability needed to reduce collision risk in Earth's increasingly crowded Low Earth Orbit. The Polar Orbit targeted by the mission is suitable for the ELSA-M payload's purpose, and Isar Aerospace's Spectrum launch vehicle will deliver the payload to this orbit, supporting the mission's objectives.