Isar Aerospace reports Europe’s first commercial orbital rocket launch
The German company’s Spectrum rocket reached low Earth orbit from a Norwegian spaceport, offering European customers another launch-service option.
German launch company Isar Aerospace has successfully sent its two-stage Spectrum rocket into low Earth orbit from a Norwegian spaceport, according to The Verge and the company.
The launch follows an unsuccessful attempt in March, when the rocket reportedly flew for about 30 seconds before crashing into the sea and exploding.
Isar Aerospace described the achievement as Europe’s first entirely commercial orbital rocket launch. The mission could give European commercial and institutional customers an additional launch provider based within the continent.
Chief executive and co-founder Daniel Metzler said the launch gave Europe “sovereign access to space” and marked a new chapter for European spaceflight. That characterisation comes from the company.
Europe has traditionally relied heavily on Arianespace and Avio, both of which are substantially government-funded. Access to Russian Soyuz rockets has also been disrupted since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, while the European Space Agency has made “buy European” a policy priority.
