A German startup's orbital rocket crashed out of control seconds after its launch on Sunday. Despite the setback, the manufacturer stated that this rare European test flight "achieved its set goals." This demonstrates their commitment to pushing the boundaries of space exploration, even in the face of challenges.
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04-02, 2025The launch from a spaceport in northern Norway marked the first time a rocket with the capability to reach orbit had been launched from continental Europe, excluding Russia, according to manufacturer Isar Aerospace. The rocket, named "Spectrum," dramatically plunged into the frigid Norwegian Sea only about half a minute after liftoff. Further investigation is needed to determine the exact cause of the failure and prevent future occurrences.
Isar Aerospace and other European startups are striving to seize a segment of the rapidly expanding space race, which is currently dominated by American and Chinese companies and government entities. The company viewed Sunday's launch as a step toward achieving this goal, stating in a release: "Isar Aerospace achieved its set goals: After ignition of the first stage, Spectrum successfully lifted off... the first test flight of approximately 30 seconds was conducted. This enabled the company to collect a wealth of flight data and experience for application to future missions." The data collected will be invaluable for refining their technology and improving the reliability of future launches.
Daniel Metzler, CEO and co-founder of the company, said in a statement: "As a company with European roots, we are proud to show that Europe has the enduring ability to think big and achieve great things." He added: "We will be able to serve customers from all over the world, send their satellites into space, and help Europe address a major blind spot in its security architecture: the ability to access space." This ambition reflects a broader European effort to regain prominence in the global space sector.
The 23-member European Space Agency has already sent rockets into orbit, as have companies such as the French-operated Arianespace. However, both launch from locations outside of Europe, primarily from spaceports in the Americas. Leaders in the space industry include Elon Musk's SpaceX, which has already sent hundreds of rockets into orbit. Historically, Europe has lagged behind, both in the initial space race of the 1960s and 1970s and in the subsequent scramble by commercial companies to reach orbit. This new generation of European space companies aims to change that narrative and establish a strong foothold in the growing space economy.
