Spectrum Rocket Test Flight Ends in Failure Shortly After Launch
The German start-up Isar Aerospace's attempt at Europe's first privately funded orbital rocket launch from continental soil highlights progress and challenges in the region's space ambitions.
- The Spectrum rocket, developed by Isar Aerospace, failed shortly after liftoff on March 29, 2025, crashing and exploding near Norway's Andøya Spaceport.
- This was the first orbital rocket test flight from continental Europe funded almost entirely by private means, marking a significant milestone despite the failure.
- The rocket's launch had been delayed multiple times, with the most recent postponement attributed to strong winds before the March 29 attempt.
- Equipped with nine first-stage engines and a single second-stage engine, the Spectrum rocket is designed to carry up to one ton of payload into orbit.
- The test flight reflects Europe's growing private space sector, with companies like Rocket Factory Augsburg and PLD Space also striving to secure independent access to space.
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