Isar Aerospace’s Spectrum rocket reaches orbit after launch from Norway
German company Isar Aerospace launched its Spectrum launch vehicle from the Andøya spaceport in Norway, after which it reached orbit. As Deutsche Welle reports, the company said this was the first time a privately developed rocket had reached orbit after launching from continental Europe.
Second launch attempt
This was Isar Aerospace’s second attempt to launch Spectrum into space. The first launch, which took place 18 months ago, was unsuccessful. The company is based in Bavaria.
Spectrum is designed to carry small and medium payloads into orbit. During the flight, the rocket carried five small satellites and a technology experiment conducted in flight. Isar Aerospace noted that the launch was a qualification mission for the rocket and its first flight with a payload.
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Company plans
Spectrum is intended to place civilian and military satellites into low Earth orbit, at an altitude of several hundred kilometers above Earth. The rocket is not yet ready for mass production, but Isar Aerospace already has orders through 2028.
The company is also developing a second launch site in Canada and plans to produce around 40 rockets a year. According to its data, 198 rockets were launched in the United States last year, while eight were launched in Europe. Last week, Isar Aerospace announced that it had received €200 million from the European Space Agency to develop new rockets and expand testing and launch infrastructure.
