Spectrum (space rocket)

History

2025: Explosion right after start

The first orbital rocket launched from continental Europe exploded a few seconds after launch. This was announced at the end of March 2025 by the German startup Isar Aerospace. The Spectrum rocket launched from the Andoya Cosmodrome in Norway and was supposed to be a technological breakthrough in European private space initiatives. However, the launch ended in an accident, the causes of which are currently being specified.

According to The JapanTimes, a 28-meter two-stage rocket crashed to the ground immediately after breaking away from the launch pad, which was accompanied by a powerful explosion. The launch was broadcast live on the developer's YouTube channel, where viewers watched white smoke from the rocket at the time of launch, followed by an accident.

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Фото: Wikipedia

Despite the setback, Isar Aerospace called the launch a success, as it allowed important data to be collected for future missions. This was the first launch for the organization, and representatives of the startup emphasized the value of the experience gained.

Daniel Metzler, co-founder and CEO of the company, noted even before launch that a fully successful mission is unlikely: "Every second of the flight is good because we collect data and gain experience. Thirty seconds is already a great success. To be honest, we do not expect to enter orbit the first time, no company has yet managed to put its first orbiter into orbit. "

The launch of the Spectrum rocket was a landmark event for the European space industry. This was the first launch of an orbital launch vehicle from the European continent, not counting launches from the cosmodrome Plesetsk in, and Russia the first launch in, To Europe funded almost exclusively by private business.^[1]

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