Japan’s ElevationSpace has selected an Isar Aerospace Spectrum rocket to launch its AOBA re-entry demonstrator in the second half of 2026.

German rocket builder Isar Aerospace has signed a launch services agreement with Japanese in-space logistics company ElevationSpace, securing a Spectrum rocket flight for the AOBA re-entry demonstrator.

As the company prepares for Spectrum’s inaugural flight, it has secured a new customer for the rocket. On 4 March, ElevationSpace announced that it had booked a Spectrum flight scheduled for the second half of 2026. The rocket will carry the company’s AOBA re-entry demonstrator, which will serve as an initial test of the company’s ELS-R “space utilization and recovery” vehicle.