Continuation of the countdown: Bavarian innovation company launches rocket test
Adverse weather conditions thwarted the inaugural test flight of the Spectrum rocket by Isar Aerospace, a southern German startup, at the Norwegian spaceport Andøya. The countdown was halted due to strong winds, as the company revealed. With the rocket already fueled and positioned on the launchpad, it will have to be drained before a potential reattempt. The fate of the rocket staying on the launchpad for a subsequent try is yet undecided, contingent upon weather conditions among other factors.
No damage was reported to either the rocket or the launchpad, as stated by Isar Aerospace. The company has yet to set a new date for the attempted launch. Previously, they stressed that countdown abortions could occur at any point, such as when the weather is unfavorable.
The test flight's objective is to amass large amounts of data and experience. Achieving orbit is deemed highly improbable. In fact, no company has successfully launched their first rocket into orbit in the past, according to a spokesperson.
If the test flight proves successful, subsequent rockets could follow swiftly. According to the spokesperson, rockets two and three are already in production. The speed at which they will be ready for launch depends on the findings from the first test flight and whether software or hardware modifications are necessary. The ultimate goal is to return to the launchpad as soon as possible.
The Spectrum rocket is 28 meters long with a diameter of 2 meters. Depending on the targeted orbit, it can carry between 700 and 1000 kilograms of commercial payload, referred to as payload in space lingo. It is expected to be employed by satellites during its second flight.
The May 23, 2025 launch from Norway marks not only Isar Aerospace's initial flight but also the first orbital carrier rocket launch in continental Europe. If it proceeds as planned, Isar Aerospace aims to construct up to 40 carrier rockets annually. To date, the startup has raised over 400 million euros in funding. The NATO Innovation Fund, a venture capital fund supported by 24 NATO member states, also invested in a recent funding round.
For updates on future test flights, it is advised to follow Isar Aerospace official communications or major launch tracking platforms.
The setback in the initial test flight of the Spectrum rocket, despite being fueled and positioned on the launchpad, is under review by Isar Aerospace, given the adverse weather conditions and other contingent factors. With the first launch postponed, the company is focused on utilizing science, space-and-astronomy, and technology to gather valuable data and improve the rocket's future performance, as their ultimate goal is to return to the launchpad as soon as possible.
