German space rocket explodes just seconds after launch in Norway

1 day ago 5

A German startup's test rocket, launched from Norway's Andøya Spaceport, exploded 40 seconds after takeoff on Sunday. The uncrewed Spectrum rocket was the first European attempt at orbital flight.

A test rocket fell into the water and exploded

A test rocket fell into the water and exploded.(Photo: X/@Reuters)

Reuters

UPDATED: Mar 30, 2025 23:29 IST

A test rocket aimed at kickstarting satellite launches from Europe fell to the ground and exploded 40 seconds after takeoff from a Norwegian space port on Sunday, in what German startup Isar Aerospace had described as an initial test.

The uncrewed Spectrum rocket was billed as the first attempt at an orbital flight to originate from Europe, where several nations, including Sweden and Britain, have said they want a share of a growing market for commercial space missions.

Isar Aerospace, which had warned that the initial launch could end prematurely, said the test produced extensive data that its team can learn from.

A test rocket exploded 40 seconds after takeoff from a Norwegian space port.

Blasting off from Norway's Arctic Andoeya Spaceport, the Spectrum is designed for small and medium-sized satellites weighing up to one metric tonne, although it did not carry a payload on its maiden voyage.

Global players in the satellite launch market include Elon Musk's SpaceX, which launches from the United States, and French ArianeGroup, a joint venture between Airbus AIR.PA and Safran SAF.PA that uses a spaceport in South America's French Guiana.

SpaceX also operates the Starlink satellite service, a communications network spanning much of the globe.

Germany's BDLI aerospace industries association said Isar's first flight would lead to further progress.

"Europe urgently needs to ensure its sovereignty in space. Elon Musk's Starlink is not without alternatives - nor should it be," BDLI Managing Director Marie-Christine von Hahn said in a statement.

Sunday's mission was intended to collect data on the company's in-house developed launch vehicle, in a first integrated test of all its systems, Bavaria's Isar Aerospace said last week.

Sweden, with its Esrange launch site and Britain with its SaxaVord Spaceport in the Scottish Shetland Islands, are the nearest rivals to the Norwegian site, all of which aim to give Europe greater autonomy in space flights.

SaxaVord, which suffered a setback when a rocket engine exploded during a test last year, plans its first satellite launch in the third quarter of 2025, and Esrange also aims to stage its inaugural launch this year.

Published By:

Satyam Singh

Published On:

Mar 30, 2025

Article From: www.indiatoday.in
Read Entire Article



Note:

We invite you to explore our website, engage with our content, and become part of our community. Thank you for trusting us as your go-to destination for news that matters.

Certain articles, images, or other media on this website may be sourced from external contributors, agencies, or organizations. In such cases, we make every effort to provide proper attribution, acknowledging the original source of the content.

If you believe that your copyrighted work has been used on our site in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, please contact us promptly. We are committed to addressing and rectifying any such instances

To remove this article:
Removal Request