Rockets: The Backbone of Space

The last newsletter was an introduction to the idea that space is open for business. I mentioned how the space industry had been stagnating in terms of cost reduction for the past 40 years. SpaceX changed the game and encouraged others to join the race in the new space economy.

Today's post is about a company called Isar Aerospace, based in Munich, Germany.

What they do: develop launch vehicles (rockets) to transport small and medium-sized satellites.

Their aim is to build rockets at a lower cost to create access to space. Founded in 2018. Money raised: $330 million. They have a team of over 300 people from more than 40 nations.

Rockets are the backbone of the space industry, and with lower access costs and advanced technology, the space industry will flourish. This is what Isar Aerospace is promising.

Their value proposition:

They are introducing cutting-edge technology in rocket manufacturing that will position them with a strong, sustainable competitive advantage and allow them to execute their chosen strategy.

Their technology, as they claim, will disrupt traditional manufacturing processes through automation.

Their machines ensure high precision, performance, and reliability, and they control the vertical stages of production (having a high degree of ownership in the supply chain)

In less than one year, they have set up manufacturing capabilities for major rocket components, including their rocket engines.

It sounds promising when you combine automation, presicion and owning vertical chain to deleiver lower cost and advanced rockets.

Features of their rocket:

The rocket is a two-stage orbital vehicle. The first stage has nine engines, and the second stage has one engine.

The payload capacity of the rocket to low Earth orbit is 1,000 kg, and to Sun-Synchronous Polar Orbit, it is 700 kg.

Since there aren't many rocket companies that launch satellites into low Earth orbit, these companies offer flexibility to launch your satellites or space equipment through rideshare options.

You can book a launch alongside other payloads.

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Why Launching Satellites Is Important (The Importance of Having Access to Space)

Space will become a key platform for many industries worldwide, using satellite-based technologies, from automotive to telecommunications.

Satellites advance technologies on Earth and bring new capabilities in IoT, data encryption, data storage, and observation to life

These applications include smart farming, water resource and fertilizer optimization and surveillance to tackle climate change.

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Isar Aerospace's first test flight is planned for 2023. We are now in the last quarter of the year, and there have been no further announcements.

Keep an eye out for the rocket launch date. It's going to be stressful because it's hard to get a rocket to fly successfully on the first attempt. But someone has done it, and I'll share more about it in future series.

Secured Clients

Isar Aerospace already has a solid customer pipeline and has signed firm contracts with customers globally, including major commercial players, New Space companies, and government institutions. The company’s flight manifest is already fully booked for its first years of operations.

Launch Sites:

Two site:

Isar Aerospace has exclusive launch pads in Andøya, Norway, and in Kourou, French Guiana.

Knowledge and Tips:

Payload: is the cargo in the rocket that carries the load, its lauched in stage 2.

Rocket propulsion is the process of making a rocket move by expelling gases in one direction to create a force that propels it in the opposite direction.

Follow along to learn about the industries within the space economy.

Thanks for reading!

Rockets on their way to Rock-it.