A rocket launched by a German company fell to the ground and exploded just 40 seconds after takeoff.
The unmanned Spectrum rocket was billed as the first attempt at an orbital flight to originate from Europe.
Isar Aerospace, which had warned that the initial launch could end prematurely, said the test produced extensive data that its team can learn from.
Launching from the Arctic Andoeya Spaceport in Norway, the Spectrum is designed for small and medium-sized satellites weighing up to one metric tonne.
Isar Aerospace launched the vessel
Reuters/Nasa
Isar Aerospace launched the vessel
Reuters
The vessel did not carry a payload on its maiden flight and Germany’s BDLI aerospace industries association said Isar’s first flight would lead to further progress.
Isar chief executive Daniel Metzler said in a statement: “Our first test flight met all our expectations, achieving a great success. We had a clean lift-off, 30 seconds of flight, and even got to validate our flight termination system.”
BDLI Managing Director Marie-Christine von Hahn said: “Europe urgently needs to ensure its sovereignty in space. Elon Musk’s Starlink is not without alternatives – nor should it be.”
The launch was the largest German rocket since V2, the rocket developed by the Nazis during World War Two.
Daniel Metzler, CEO of Isar Aerospace
Getty
